The Jets completed their coaching staff last week, a group that includes Adam Gase’s father-in-law.
Joe Vitt is Gang Green’s new outside linebackers coach. An esteemed veteran linebackers coach, Vitt served as a consultant for Gase in 2017 in Miami. Vitt also has a connection to Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, as they worked together with the Saints during the Bountygate scandal.
Vitt actually wound up testifying against Williams — he didn’t exactly have kind things to say. Now, the two will have to reconcile their differences.
As Vitt prepares to walk into what could be a powder keg, here’s everything you need to know about the new Jets coach.
Once Considered for Jets Head Coach
When Herman Edwards signed a deal to be the Kansas City Chiefs’ next coach, Joe Vitt was among the candidates that the Jets had interest in bringing in for the same position.
Eric Mangini wound up getting the job after the Jets pried him from Bill Belichick’s coaching tree. Vitt, after missing out a top job, was hired by Sean Payton, who had just been hired as a first-time head coach in New Orleans. The idea was to have an experienced vet like Vitt help Payton along.
Born in New York, raised in New Jersey
Joe Vitt was born in Syracuse, New York in 1954. He was raised in Blackwood, New Jersey, where he graduated from Highland Regional High School in 1973.
A familiarity with the area may help Vitt get more acclimated to coaching under his son-in-law. At the very least, he’ll know where to get a good slice.
2-Time Interim Head Coach
Vitt has served as an interim head coach on two occasions.
When he was with the St. Louis Rams during the 2005 season, Vitt served as the interim head coach while Mike Martz was out due to a bacterial heart infection. He coached the team from Week 5 until the end of the regular season, going 4-7 before being replaced.
With the New Orleans Saints, Vitt replaced Sean Payton as top dog after Payton was suspended for an entire season for his role in BountyGate. Vitt was suspended for the first six games after it was found he was complicit, but he returned to be the interim after his suspension was up.
Vitt went 5-5 with the Saints, marking his record as an NFL head coach at 9-12.
Background as a Strength Coach
Vitt got his start as a strength coach. He entered the NFL as a strength/quality control coach with the Baltimore Colts from 1979-81.
Vitt was also the Seattle Seahawks strength coach when Chuck Knox was in charge in 1983. He quickly promoted Vitt to defensive backs coach.
