With the Jets under Robert Saleh, Ulbrichโs defense rose from 32nd in yardage allowed in 2021 to 4th the next year, and then finished third in yardage for three straight seasons, even when Saleh left and Ulbrich served as interim head coach. That redemption arc would fit Jerry Jonesโs preferred storyline for a coordinator, but Atlanta seems determined to keep Ulbrich for its next head coach. ๐ฅ๐งญ
The Cowboys had sought an interview last week as they searched for a replacement for fired Matt Eberflus. ESPNโs Jeremy Fowler later reported that Kevin Stefanski is in a second round of Falcons interviews and has studied the possibility of working with Ulbrich in Atlanta, with Falcons owner Arthur Blank wanting to keep Ulbrich as a top coordinator candidate if he becomes available. โ ๏ธโจ
Even so, Dallasโs candidate pool remains robust, with nine people lined up for the DC job: Broncos assistant Jim Leonhard; Vikings pass game coordinator Daronte Jones; Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda; ex-Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon; Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton; former Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr; Eagles defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator Christian Parker; Giants interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen; and Packers defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington. ๐
As Schottenheimer noted earlier in January, Dallas plans to โcast a very wide netโ and talk to a lot of people because this is an important decision that could be tedious but must be right. The process continues amid Atlantaโs own head coach search and Ulbrichโs uncertain status, effectively keeping him in limbo for the moment. ๐๏ธ๐
