JETS ANNOUNCE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR DONNIE HENDERSON’S CONTRACT EXTENSION
New York City – The New York Jets announced today Defensive Coordinator Donnie Henderson’s contract has been extended. As per Club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Terry Bradway.
In his first year (2004) guiding the Jets’ defense, Henderson, 47, employed a defensive unit that allowed the third fewest points against in team history (16.3 per game), ranked seventh overall in the NFL in total defense and fifth-best against the run. Furthermore, the Jets tied for the fourth-most takeaways in the league (33) as they advanced to the AFC Divisional Playoff round. The Jets also posted an NFL-best seven second-half shut-outs last season.
“Donnie Henderson instilled a fire in our defensive unit that had an effect on the entire football team,� said Head Coach Herm Edwards. “His approach to coaching the defense set the tone at training camp last season, and it’s a credit to him and his coaching staff for making good players better, and giving our young players an opportunity to contribute. Donnie puts players in position to be successful and that’s the focus of us being a winning football team.�
Henderson joined the Jets on January 26, 2004, after five years coaching defensive backs with the Baltimore Ravens (1999-2003). His Ravens’ teams reached the playoffs three times in his five years with the Club, including winning Super Bowl XXXV which followed the 2000 season. Henderson’s secondary contributed to the League’s third-ranked defense in 2003 while his group led the defense to a fourth place ranking against the pass.
Prior to breaking into NFL coaching in 1999 with Baltimore, Henderson coached on the collegiate level for 16 years at five schools: Utah State (1983-88), Idaho (1989), California (1990-91), Arizona State (1992-97), and Houston (1998). Henderson was a standout cornerback at Utah State before being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1980.
