GM Joe Douglas Jets Gain Organizational Power



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The day the Jets introduced Robert Saleh as their new coach, they also said general manager Joe Douglas had more power.

Saleh will now report directly to Douglas and Douglas will report to owners Woody and Christopher Johnson. The Jets’ last three GM / coach combinations were under the direct control of the Johnson, making them level in the organization. Now Douglas has received a lump, a sign of the Johnson’s belief in their CEO.

“This structure has changed,” said Christopher Johnson. “Joe will bring me back [and Woody]. Robert will report to Joe. It seems like a straightforward, straightforward way to do things, but honestly, not much really changes. We already have very good communication. I don’t think that’s really going to make a difference here.

The organizational structure had been a point of consternation for Jets fans, but many teams around the league (around half) had the same structure. The problem with the Jets is the people who do these jobs, not who they report to.

Woody Johnson is expected to regain control of the team shortly after his tenure as Ambassador to the UK ends on Wednesday. Christopher Johnson, who led the team in Woody’s absence, will retain an important role in the organization, but Woody will once again be the ultimate decision maker.


The Jets have officially announced the hiring of Mike LaFleur as offensive coordinator and Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator. LaFleur arrives at the 49ers Jets, for which he was the passing game coordinator. Ulbrich was the Falcons linebacker coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator after the team sacked Dan Quinn and promoted Raheem Morris to interim head coach.

Saleh has yet to hire a special teams coordinator, but has said he will retain Brant Boyer, who has been with the Jets since 2016, when former coach Todd Bowles hired him. He said he is also considering retaining defensive back coach Dennard Wilson, who has been with the Jets since 2017.

Other rookies announced by Saleh were: Rob Calabrese (quarterbacks), John Benton (offensive line), Taylor Embree (running backs), Ron Middleton (tight ends), Miles Austin (wide receivers), Greg Knapp (game specialist) assists), Billy VandeMerkt (offensive assistant), Aaron Whitecotton (defensive line), Nate Ollie (defensive line assistant), Ricky Manning Jr. (defensive assistant), Hayes Pullard (defensive assistant).

Saleh also retained three coaches of Adam Gase’s staff: Todd Washington (offensive assistant), Mack Brown (offensive assistant) and Chip Vaughn (defensive assistant).


Saleh highly appreciated DT Quinnen Williams. The 49ers had the second overall pick in 2019 when the Jets drafted Williams in third overall, so Saleh spotted Williams.

“I love Quinnen,” Saleh said. “Really excited to take the seat belt off his harness and let him go.” In this scheme to make it go vertically, to bring all this mass in the direction it needs to go, I’m really excited about the potential it’s going to have. I loved going out. Obviously we took [Nick] Bosa. He was there for the discussion. I can assure you. When it comes to this young man, his state of mind, his athleticism, his power, his love for football, really, really excited to see him in our system, especially up front with the way we design with that style of attack up front.

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