Bob Sutton
| Position: | Senior Defensive Assistant/Linebackers |
| Jets Seasons: | 10 |
| NFL Coaching seasons: | 10 |
| Age: | 58 |
■ Bob Sutton was retained by Rex Ryan as senior defensive assistant/linebackers after three seasons as the Jets' defensive coordinator.
■ He spent the first six of his nine previous seasons with the organization coaching the Jets' linebackers.
■ His 2008 unit was ranked near the top of the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (94.9) and per carry (3.7), the Jets' best statistical showing in those categories since 1993. He worked to develop the young talent on defense, including second-year Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis, who has eight interceptions in his first two seasons.
■ In 2005 he coached LB Jonathan Vilma to his first Pro Bowl appearance after Vilma finished with an NFL-leading 187 tackles. In 2004 he fielded three new full-time starting LBs — Eric Barton, Victor Hobson and Vilma — who at season’s end had combined for 297 tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine passes defensed and five interceptions. His group helped the Jets’ defense finish fourth in the NFL in fewest points allowed with 261 and fifth against the run, holding opponents to 97.9 yards per game. Under Sutton’s tutelage, Vilma became only the third Jet in franchise history to be voted AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
■ In 2003 his group finished with 465 tackles and four sacks, helping to hold Jets opponents to 18.7 points per game (eighth-best in NFL). In 2001 the Jets were the only team to place three LBs in the NFL’s Top 25 in tackles. All three starters finished with more than 100 tackles. In his first year with the Jets in 2000, he oversaw a 3-4 defense under Al Groh that was led consistently by Marvin Jones and Mo Lewis, who earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.
■ Prior to joining the Jets, Sutton spent nine years as the head coach at Army (1991-99) and achieved remarkable success, including guiding the Cadets to just their fourth bowl appearance. His nine seasons placed him second in tenure at West Point, trailing only legendary Earl “Red” Blaik, who guided the Cadets for 18 seasons. Sutton finished his Army career with a mark of 44-54-1. Before becoming Army's head coach, he was the Cadets' defensive coordinator for eight season (1983-90).
■ In 1982 he served as RBs coach at North Carolina State under Monte Kiffin. He had a pair of turns at Western Michigan under Elliott Uzelac (1975-76 and 1980-81), serving first as defensive coordinator and later as offensive coordinator. He was defensive coordinator and LBs coach at Illinois (1977-79) under Gary Moeller. In 1974 he was LBs coach at Syracuse for Frank Maloney. In 1972-73 he had his first coaching job as a graduate assistant at Michigan for Bo Schembechler.
OFF THE FIELD
■ Sutton and his wife, Debbie, have a son, Andrew, a daughter, Sarah, and a granddaughter, Molly.
■ He was born in Ypsilanti, MI.
■ He earned his physical education degree from Eastern Michigan.
