
For their open head coach position, the New York Jets interviewed Joe Whitt Jr., the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, on Sunday.
In the Commanders’ unexpected 45-31 victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday night, Whitt, who is in his first season as defensive leader, led the club to five turnovers, earning Washington a trip to the NFC championship for the first time in thirty-three years.
With 15 other candidates interviewed for the Jets’ general manager post, Whitt is the 16th candidate to interview for the head coaching position.
In addition to Brian Flores, Aaron Glenn, Jeff Hafley, Vance Joseph, Mike Locksley, Josh McCown, Matt Nagy, Ron Rivera, Darren Rizzi, Rex Ryan, Bobby Slowik, Arthur Smith, Steve Spagnuolo, Jeff Ulbrich, and Mike Vrabel, Whitt, 46, is the latest in a lengthy line of applicants for the position.
New England has already signed Vrabel as their head coach, and Atlanta has hired Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator.
Ulbrich was the Jets’ temporary head coach for 12 games following Robert Saleh’s dismissal.
Whitt and Commanders coach Dan Quinn have previously collaborated. Whitt and Quinn collaborated in Atlanta in 2020 as the secondary coach and coordinator of the Falcons’ pass game.

Quinn was the defensive coordinator at Dallas, where Whitt later rejoined him. Whitt was appointed defensive coordinator by Quinn when he became head coach in Washington.
Whitt, a former Auburn wide receiver, started his coaching career at the collegiate level, making stops at Auburn, The Citadel, and Louisville before transitioning to the NFL.
In 2007, he was hired by Bobby Petrino as Atlanta’s assistant defensive backs coach, landing him his first NFL coaching position.
He then worked with Cleveland and Green Bay before going back to Atlanta.