HEMPSTED, N.Y., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The New York Jets, who have struggled to stop teams, Monday named Donnie Henderson defensive coordinator.
Henderson spent the last five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, serving as secondary coach the past four years.
Prior to joining Baltimore, the 46-year-old Henderson spent 16 years as an assistant coach at five different colleges.
The Jets fired Ted Cottrell on December 30 after the club ranked 21st overall in defense. Three other members of the defensive staff -- line coach Rubin Carter, secondary coach Bill Bradley and assistant David Merritt -- also were dismissed. Linebackers coach Bob Sutton was the only defensive coach retained.
Henderson guided a strong unit in Baltimore as the Ravens allowed an average of 175.3 passing yards per game last season, which ranked fourth in the NFL. In 2000, Baltimore set a team record with 23 interceptions while allowing just 11 touchdown passes and winning the Super Bowl.
While Henderson's forte has been working with defensive backs, he will have to improve the front seven with the Jets.
New York was especially poor against the run, ranking 28th overall at 143.4 yards per game. In 2002, the Jets were 18th against the run.
