The job was basically open since the season ended for the Arizona Cardinals and then defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was free to interview for available head coaching positions. Bowles was hired by the Jets last month, but Arizona has been in no hurry to replace him. Tuesday, they finally pulled the trigger, promoting outside linebackers coach James Bettcher to defensive coordinator.
The 36-year-old Bettcher has only been a professional coach since 2010, with his first job as a defensive ends and special teams coach at Ball State. Bettcher’s first NFL job was as special assistant to the head coach with the Indianapolis Colts before leaving with Bruce Arians for Arizona in 2013.
Monte Kiffin will not return to Dallas in 2015
Presumably ending a 48 year in coaching, assistant head coach of the defense Monte Kiffin will not return to the Dallas Cowboys’ sidelines next season. Kiffin, who is about to turn 75, reportedly still wants to coach, but after being demoted from the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator position after a disastrous 2013, his career is likely at its end.
Kiffin’s most productive era as defensive coordinator was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2008, where he picked up a Super Bowl ring in 2003. Kiffin made a short detour from his NFL positions to join his son Lane Kiffin as defensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee in 2009 and at USC from 2010-12.
Jerry Montgomery leaves Oklahoma for Packers
Though not officially announced, University of Oklahoma defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator Jerry Montgomery is on his way to the NFL, reportedly joining the Green Bay Packers’ defensive staff as a defensive assistant.
Montgomery is a rising star in the college coaching ranks after turning Oklahoma’s defensive line into one of the best in Big 12 in just two seasons. The line particularly starred in the 2013 Sugar Bowl, dominating Alabama and sacking A.J. McCarron seven times on their way to a 45-31 win.
Montgomery was just promoted to the Sooners’ co-defensive coordinator position last month.
“My family will be forever grateful to (Oklahoma) Coach (Bob) Stoops for providing me with the privilege of learning from him and the rest of his staff at the University of Oklahoma,” Montgomery said in a statement. “The past two years have been invaluable helping me grow personally and professionally. It’s truly been an honor to coach such a wonderful group of student-athletes at OU, and I’ll continue to follow their progress closely.”
Curtis Brown signs with Jets
A month before the official start of free agency, Bowles has wasted no time adding bodies to his defensive roster. The Jets reached an agreement with former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Curtis Brown Tuesday. Brown sat out all last season after tearing his ACL in 2013.
Brown was a third round pick in 2011 but never broke into the starting line up for the Steelers, but was a key contributor on special teams. With Brown’s signing, the Jets now have five cornerbacks under contract for 2015.
In his three seasons with the Steelers, Brown had 49 tackles, two pass defenses and one forced fumble.
Falcons will part ways with Steven Jackson
After two sub-par, injury-riddled seasons the Atlanta Falcons are expected to release running back Steven Jackson. Jackson signed with Atlanta after nine seasons with the St. Louis Rams where he became the team’s all-time leading rusher. With the Rams Jackson had eight-straight 1,000-yard seasons, with his high point coming in 2006 with 1,528 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught 90 passes for 806 yards and three touchdowns.
Jackson is about to turn 32 years old and is due $3.75 million this season.
Jackson’s final seasons in St. Louis were also limited by nagging injuries, but he still managed to produce when healthy. Those healthy moments were harder to come by in Atlanta and Jackson’s production plummeted along with the Falcons’ win-loss record.
Falcons offensive coordinator is reportedly enamored with rookie running back Devonta Freeman. Antone Smith, who will be a free agent officially in March, also looked good at running back for the Falcons last year.
