Find out why the Falcons defensive coordinator coaches like a linebacker.
Terrin Waack
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. When asked to describe Jeff Ulbrich, the Atlanta Falcons' new defensive coordinator, the best descriptor safety Jessie Bates III could repeatedly summon was the former position his coach spent a decade playing.
"Linebacker personality."
"Linebacker mentality."
"Linebacker orientated."
After starring at the University of Hawaii as a linebacker, Ulbrich entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers in 2000 and remained with the organization through his final season in 2009. He appeared in 120 games, starting 75, and registered 501 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and a safety.
Ulbrich began his coaching career immediately after his playing one ended, spending the 2010-11 seasons as the assistant special teams coach with the Seattle Seahawks. After three seasons at the collegiate level, where he first began coaching his old position, Ulbrich joined the Falcons for the first time as linebackers coach in 2015. During his next six years in Atlanta, Ulbrich also picked up the title of assistant head coach and interim defensive coordinator. From 2021-24, Ulbrich was the New York Jets' defensive coordinator and spent 12 games as interim head coach in his final season.
"This is my first time, that I can recall off the top of my head, where my DC has been a linebacker at heart, a guy that played it and saw it from my shoes," said Falcons inside linebacker Kaden Elliss. "I'm really excited about it."
Elliss, who joined the NFL in 2019, is correct. None of his previous defensive coordinators were linebackers at any level. Jimmy Lake (Falcons, 2024), Kris Richard (New Orleans Saints, 2022) and Dennis Allen (Saints, 2019-21) were all defensive backs. Ryan Nielsen (Falcons, 2023; Saints, 2022) was a defensive lineman.
With that in mind, Elliss has noticed an early difference, one that he appreciates.
"When you're game-planning a team, sometimes the onus has to get put on a position group," he said. "I think, in my very biased eyes, that when defensive coordinators are D-line or DBs, they kind of gear things and put the tough jobs on the linebackers a little bit. I can already tell Brich is going to look out for us and make sure I don't (cover) Justin Jefferson alone, you know what I mean? Those types of scenarios."
The manner in which Ulbrich coaches also evokes the position he spent a decade playing. For Elliss, it's his attention to detail. For Bates, it's because he's so demanding. Those traits are ones good NFL linebackers often possess.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who was a defensive back in college, sees it. Though, Morris added another adjective into the mix: intentional.
"When he coaches, he has a real intentionality on what he's coaching that day and what he wants to do and what he wants to get accomplished," Morris said. "He's not afraid to say it. He speaks with a high level of clarity to the guys.
"That's what that kind of room is like. It's almost like being in a quarterback room. It's a really intentional day for quarterbacks every day. For wideouts, I might just go catch the rock. But it's really intentional for those guys every single day."
And that intentionality has led to a productive offseason with the defensive install. It has been a slow and steady process which has put the defense in a good position ahead of the Falcons' five-week break before training camp begins in late July.
"I love it," Bates said. "The meetings are unbelievable. The way that he's teaching the positions, teaching our defense, to not just understand your job but get a whole understanding of how we are trying to attack as a defense. I think that will go a very long way when you can play four different coverages, and it all looks the same."
Especially when Ulbrich is checking whether his players are actually paying attention and absorbing the information.
"Even in the meeting room, people are a little on edge at times," Falcons inside linebacker JD Bertrand said. "Like, he does a good job of cold calling people and making sure people are always on their Ps and Qs. So, I think there's that side, but there's also a side that he understands the game and he understands linebacker responsibilities, so he's able to very much emphasize and verbalize from a linebacker perspective how to play each different role."
Clearly, Bates isn't the only player -- or even coach -- who has noticed Ulbrich's tendency to pull from his past. Bates was just one of the first to point it out publicly.
The label was never meant in a bad way. In fact, quite the opposite.
"That's the type of linebacker that I would love to play with," Bates said. "He's holding everybody accountable to that standard."
Up Next
Videos
Atlanta Falcons 2025 Minicamp Highlights | Top Plays | NFL
Videos
Final thoughts from Falcons' OTAs, early look ahead to training camp | Atlanta Falcons Podcast
Videos
Jessie Bates III, Jalon Walker & other defensive Falcons on positive momentum through OTAs
Videos
Bijan Robinson, Ryan Neuzil & Emory Jones share final thoughts on offensive progress throughout OTAs
Videos
Head Coach Raheem Morris Mandatory Minicamp Day Two Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons
Videos
Kirk Cousins, Drake London & more speak to the media during mandatory minicamp | Press Conference
Videos
Michael Penix Jr. speaks on team growth following day one of Mandatory Minicamp | Press Conference
Videos
Head Coach Raheem Morris Mandatory Minicamp Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons
Videos
Atlanta Falcons 2025 OTA Highlights | Top Moments from Offseason Program
Videos
Falcons legend Michael Vick on coaching in college, Michael Penix Jr. & his favorite Falcons memory
Videos
Bijan Robinson's next step, expectations for Kyle Pitts & more from OTAs | Atlanta Falcons Podcast
Videos
A.J. Terrell Jr. & Divine Deablo are hyped about new-look defense | Press Conferences
Videos
Bijan Robinson, Drake London & others speak on building offensive weapons in OTAs | Atlanta Falcons
Videos
Raheem Morris excited for the effort & work out on field during OTAs| Press Conference
Videos
On the Rise | S5E3 | Bright Futures Begin for Atlanta Falcons 2025 Rookie Class
Videos
Falcons kick off OTAs + Deep dive into realistic rookie expectations | Atlanta Falcons Podcast
Videos
Jessie Bates III, Kaden Elliss & other defensive Falcons reflect on first practice of 2025 OTAs
Videos
Michael Penix Jr., Darnell Mooney & others speak with media following the first practice of OTAs
Videos
Head Coach Raheem Morris OTAs Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons
Videos
D.J. Williams, T.J. Yates & others speak on exciting future for Falcons' offense | Press Conference
Videos
Jerry Gray, Nate Ollie & other Atlanta Falcons defensive coaches speak with media | Press Conference
Videos
Georgia Girls Flag Football / House Resolution 347 Celebration
Videos
Marquice Williams, Zac Robinson & Jeff Ulbrich give updates on offseason program | Press Conferences
Videos
Atlanta Falcons open up OTAs at Flowery Branch training facility | Highlights | NFL
Videos
Breaking down EVERY game of the 2025 Atlanta Falcons schedule | NFL Schedule Release
Videos
Welcome to ATL Kart | Schedule Release 2025
Videos
It's finally HERE! Full Falcons schedule deep dive, hardest stretch & more | Atlanta Falcons Podcast
Videos
Atlanta Falcons Rookie minicamp highlights | First look at 2025 Draft Class | NFL
Videos
Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. & other Atlanta Falcons excited to get to work on field | 2025 Rookie Minicamp
Videos
Raheem Morris excited to kick off the 2025 Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp | Press Conference
Videos
On the Rise | S5E2 | All Access look into the Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Draft | NFL
Videos
Atlanta Falcons 2025 rookies arrive to rookie minicamp
Videos
"Juice", Cam Newton & video game bounties: James Pearce Jr. joins Falcons in Focus
Videos
The Tin Man, telepathy & the perfect podcasting voice: Jalon Walker joins Falcons in Focus
Videos
Jerry Gray, Atlanta Falcons defensive staff speak after the 2025 NFL Draft | Press Conferences
Videos
Zac Robinson, T.J. Yates, Kevin Koger & other offensive coaches speak with media | Atlanta Falcons
Videos
Jeff Ulbrich addresses data breach and Shedeur Sanders prank call
Videos
Assistant General Manager Kyle Smith Post-Draft Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons
Videos
Falcons draft grades, reacting to each pick & breaking down each player | Falcons Audible Podcast
Videos
2025 Undrafted Free Agent highlights
