The New York Jets completed their 16th interview for their head coaching vacancy on Sunday, getting to know Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
Whitt was one day removed from guiding his unit to a strong playoff performance against the Detroit Lions. The Commanders intercepted Jared Goff three times and forced him to lose a fumble in a 45-31 victory that advanced Washington to the NFC Championship Game.
Whitt, 46, played wide receiver at Auburn and began his coaching career there as a student assistant. His first job on the defensive side of the ball was as Louisville’s cornerbacks coach from 2003-06, after which he graduated to the NFL as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
Whitt worked in various roles for the Green Bay Packers (2008-18), the Cleveland Browns (2019), another stint with Atlanta (2020) and the Dallas Cowboys (2021-23), primarily working with the secondary and coordinating pass defense. This was his first season in Washington and his first year as a defensive coordinator.
It also marks Whitt’s first interview for a head coaching job.
New York’s other interviews have included 10 candidates with previous NFL head coaching experience, counting its own interim coach Jeff Ulbrich and New Orleans Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi. Ulbrich has since joined Atlanta as its new defensive coordinator, and another interviewee, Mike Vrabel, was hired as the New England Patriots’ head coach.
