The New York Jets announced the hiring of linebackers coch Brian VanGorder and quality control–defense Bobby April III.
VanGorder joins the Jets after serving as defensive coordinator for Auburn last season. He spent the previous four seasons as Atlanta's defensive coordinator (2008-11) after joining the Falcons as their linebackers coach (2007). From 2008-11, the Falcons ranked in seventh in the NFL in points allowed (20.1) and finished each season with a winning record.
Before Atlanta, VanGorder coached for Georgia Southern (2006), the Jacksonville Jaguars (2005), Georgia (2001-04), Western Illinois (2000), Central Michigan (1998-99), Central Florida (1995-97), Wayne State (1992-94) and Grand Valley State (1989-91).
April spent the past two seasons as quality control–defense for Philadelphia. Prior to joining the Eagles, he spent one season at Nicholls State (2010) as the special teams coordinator/safeties coach after three seasons at Portland State as the special teams coordinator/inside linebackers coach (2007-09) — it was believed that at age 25, he was the youngest coordinator in college football. He entered the coaching ranks two years earlier as a graduate assistant at Tulane.
The current New York Jets coaching staff:
■ Rex Ryan (head coach)
■ Ben Kotwica (special teams coordinator)
■ Marty Mornhinweg (offensive coordinator)
■ Dennis Thurman (defensive coordinator)
■ Louie Aguiar (assistant special teams)
■ Bobby April III (quality control–defense)
■ Mike Devlin (offensive line)
■ Karl Dunbar (defensive line)
■ Justus Galac (head strength and conditioning)
■ Steve Hagen (tight ends)
■ Ron Heller (assistant offensive line)
■ Sanjay Lal (wide receivers)
■ David Lee (quarterbacks)
■ Anthony Lynn (running backs)
■ Tim McDonald (defensive backs)
■ Pierre Ngo (assistant strength and conditioning)
■ Paul Ricci (assistant strength and conditioning)
■ Brian Smith (assistant defensive backs)
■ Brian VanGorder (linebackers)
■ Jeff Weeks (assistant defensive line/linebackers)
