Denny Marcin
| Position: | Defensive Assistant Coach |
| Jets Seasons: | 4 |
| NFL Coaching seasons: | 11 |
| Age: | 67 |
In his first season with the Jets Denny Marcin helped a defensive unit that ranked 28th in the NFL in 2003 against the run to finish ranked fifth vs. the run in 2004. Marcin’s unit combined for 307 tackles, 30.5 of the Club’s 37 sacks, five PD, two FR and eight FF. Under the tutelage of Marcin, DT Dwayne Robertson enjoyed a breakout season as he recorded 60 tackles, three sacks and 2 forced fumbles. He also coached DE Shaun Ellis to his second-highest single season sack total with 11, while DE John Abraham finished with 48 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three PD, two FF and one FR. Marcin joined the Jets on Jan. 9, 2004, after having spent the previous seven seasons as the defensive line coach for the New York Giants.
Under Marcin’s tutelage, the Giants annually produced some of the finest defensive line play against both the run and the pass in the NFL. He played an instrumental role in the development of Michael Strahan, the NFL's all-time single-season sack leader. Strahan led the NFL in sacks in 2003 with 18.5 sacks. In Marcin’s seven seasons with the Giants, they had 312 sacks for an average of 44.6 per season. Under Marcin’s direction, Strahan was named to six Pro Bowls and racked up 96 sacks, including the NFL single-season record of 22.5 in 2001. Marcin also worked closely with such notable players as DT Keith Hamilton, DE Kenny Holmes, DT Cornelius Griffin and promising DE Osi Umenyiora. Marcin was a member of the Giants’ NFC Championship team in 2000 and coached in Super Bowl XXXV vs. the Baltimore Ravens. He was hired by the Giants on Feb. 10, 1997,
Before joining the Giants, Marcin spent nine seasons as the defensive line coach for the University of Illinois (1988-96). In addition to his defensive line responsibilities, he served as the defensive coordinator for four seasons (1992-95) before being named assistant head coach in 1996. He helped mold the careers of future NFL players Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy, both of whom were first-round draft choices, and DT Moe Gardener, who twice earned All-America honors and was a fourth-round choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1991. Prior to coaching the Fighting Illini, Marcin was the defensive coordinator and later the assistant head coach for the University of North Carolina (1978-87). During his 10-year stint at Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels produced 24 defensive players who went to the NFL, including Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor. The UNC defense was ranked No. 1 in the country following the bowl games at the conclusion of the 1981 season. Before joining UNC, Marcin was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Miami of Ohio, from 1974-77, serving as defensive coordinator and then assistant head coach for the 1977 season. Marcin began his coaching career at St. Edward HS as an assistant coach in from 1964-71, then became head coach and earned a 17-2-1 record in 1972-73.
Marcin graduated with a bachelor of science in education in 1964 from Miami of Ohio, where he played on both the defensive and offensive lines. He was inducted in February 2003 into the Miami of Ohio Cradle of Coaches Association, which honors coaches who began their careers at the Oxford, OH, school, joining all-time great coaches Paul Brown, Weeb Ewbank, Woody Hayes and Ara Parseghian. Marcin has authored a book on defensive line play and techniques titled "Coaching Football: Tilted Nose Technique." He is a native of Cleveland, OH. He and his wife, Betsey, have four children and five grandsons.
