Jan. 28 (UPI) — The New York Jets hired Brian Duker as their defensive coordinator, they announced Wednesday.
Duker spent the last two seasons as a passing game coordinator and secondary coach for the Miami Dolphins. He also worked as a defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns.
Advertisement
Jets coach Aaron Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks in December. The Jets, who then promoted defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Chris Harris to serve as their interim defensive coordinator, allowed the eighth-most yards in the NFL, with the third-worst run defense in the league last season.
Harris, Dolphins cornerbacks coach Mathiew Araujo, Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda and Green Bay Packers defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington were among the other candidates to interview for the Jets’ defensive coordinator vacancy.
The Dolphins, who dealt with myriad cornerback injuries this season, ranked 18th in passing yards allowed. They ranked 22nd in total yards allowed and 24th in points surrendered.