RICKY MANNING, JR. returns for his second season as a defensive assistant after initially joining the New York Jets as part of Robert Saleh's first staff in 2021. Manning, Jr. has now been a part of the NFL for 10 years, including six as a player and four as a coach.

In the 2022 Senior Bowl, Manning, Jr. was elevated to cornerbacks coach working with the National Team as the defense limited the American Team to 10 points, 120 yards passing and a 56.6 rating in the win.

In his first season with the Jets, Manning, Jr. worked with Tony Oden and the Jets cornerbacks. The corners, part of a young secondary that led the NFL with 4,468 snaps by rookie and second-year defensive backs saw standout performances from a number of players, including Bryce Hall (tied for sixth in the league in passes defensed), Brandin Echols (tied for sixth among rookies in PDs) and Michael Carter II (one of three rookies with four+ PDs and tackles for loss).

Manning, Jr. spent two seasons as the assistant defensive backs coach in Seattle, helping the Seahawks defense rank in the top 10 in completion percentage and passer rating allowed, while finishing in the top five in passing defense. Both cornerback Richard Sherman (2016) and safety Earl Thomas (2017) were Pro Bowl selections, while rookie cornerback Shaquill Griffin (2017) registered 15 passes defensed, a single-season career best and the most on the team that season.

A native of Fresno, CA, Manning, Jr. coached at Fresno State (2015) and Fresno City College (2013-14), after beginning his coaching career as the head coach at his alma mater, Edison (CA) HS (2012). Before joining the Jets staff, he served as a defensive back coach (2018-19) before being promoted to the defensive coordinator (2020) at Clovis North (CA) HS.

An NFL veteran for six seasons, Manning, Jr. played in 84 games (38 starts) with Carolina, Chicago and St. Louis. Appearing in two Super Bowls, he registered 14 regular season interceptions – with another five in the postseason – scoring three defensive touchdowns (two INT returns and one fumble return). Following his NFL career, he played in the UFL for the Florida/Virginia franchise.

Starting 45 consecutive games for UCLA, the second-longest streak in school history, Manning, Jr. was a three-time first-team All-Pac 10 selection, finishing his career with 13 interceptions, a top 10 total in Bruins history.

As part of the Social Justice, Diversity and Inclusion team with the Jets, Manning, Jr. delivered the commencement speech to the 2021 class at Year Up, a group committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code.

Manning, Jr. and his wife, Tosha, have four sons.

FLIGHT PATH

New York Jets | 2021-Present

Defensive Assistant - 2021-Present

Clovis North (CA) HS | 2018-20

Defensive Coordinator - 2020

Defensive Backs - 2018-19

San Francisco 49ers | 2018

Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship - 2018

Seattle Seahawks | 2016-17

Assistant Defensive Backs Coach - 2016-17

Fresno State | 2015

Graduate Assistant - 2015

Denver Broncos | 2014

Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship - 2014

Fresno City College | 2013-14

Defensive Backs/Special Teams - 2013-14

Edison (CA) HS | 2012

Head Coach - 2012

PLAYING CAREER

Florida Tuskers/Virginia Destroyers | UFL (Cornerback) - 2009-11

St. Louis Rams (Cornerback) - 2008

Chicago Bears (Cornerback) - 2006-07

Carolina Panthers (Cornerback) - 2003-05

UCLA (Cornerback) - 2000-02