On the day the Jets introduced Robert Saleh as their new coach, they also said that general manager Joe Douglas has more power.
Saleh now reports directly to Douglas and Douglas reports to owners Woody and Christopher Johnson. The Jets’ three previous GM / coach combinations reported directly to the Johnsons, making them equal in the organization. Now Douglas has gotten a bump, a sign of the Johnsons’ faith in their GM.
“That structure has changed,” said Christopher Johnson. Joe will report to me [and Woody]. Robert will report to Joe. It seems like a clean and simple way to do things, but honestly, not much is really changing. We already have very good communication. I don’t think that will really change things that much here. “
The organizational structure was a point of consternation for the Jets fans, but many teams in the league (about half) had the same structure. The problem with the Jets was the people in those jobs, not who they reported to.
Woody Johnson is scheduled to take control of the team soon as his tenure as ambassador to the United Kingdom expired on Wednesday. Christopher Johnson, who led the team in Woody’s absence, will keep a big role in the organization, but Woody will once again be the ultimate decision-maker.
The Jets officially announced the hiring of Mike LaFleur as attack coordinator and Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator. LaFleur comes to the Jets of the 49ers, for which he was the race coordinator. Ulbrich was the Falcons’ linebackers coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator after the team fired Dan Quinn and Raheem Morris promoted to interim head coach.
Saleh has yet to hire a special team coordinator, but said he will keep Brant Boyer, who has been with the Jets since 2016, when former coach Todd Bowles hired him. He said he is also considering retaining coach Dennard Wilson, who has been with the Jets since 2017.
The other hires Saleh announced were: Rob Calabrese (quarterbacks), John Benton (offensive line), Taylor Embree (running backs), Ron Middleton (tight ends), Miles Austin (wide receivers), Greg Knapp (passing game specialist) , Billy VandeMerkt (Offensive Assistant), Aaron Whitecotton (Defense Line), Nate Ollie (Defense Line Assistant), Ricky Manning Jr. (defensive assistant), Hayes Pullard (defensive assistant).
Saleh also retained three of Adam Gase’s staff coaches: Todd Washington (offensive assistant), Mack Brown (offensive assistant) and Chip Vaughn (defensive assistant).
Saleh spoke highly of DT Quinnen Williams. The 49ers had the No. 2 overall pick in 2019 when the Jets Williams fielded third overall, so Saleh scouted Williams.
“I absolutely love Quinnen,” said Saleh. “Really excited to get the seat belt off his harness and let him go. In this plan to get him vertical, to get all that mass in the direction he needs, I’m really excited about the potential he will have. I loved that he came out. We have taken it clear [Nick] Bosa. He was there as part of the discussion. I can assure you that. Regarding that young man, his mindset, his athleticism, his strength, his love for football, really really excited to see him in our system, especially up front with the way we design ahead of time with that attack style. “