Falcons hire Mike Rutenberg, Nate Ollie to defensive staff

Rutenberg spent the 2024 season as the Jets linebackers coach, the same position he accepted in 2021 as former head coach Robert Saleh built his initial staff. Although Rutenberg was there for four seasons, the last three were the defense’s most impressive.

Related: What the stats say about Jeff Ulbrich’s time as Jets defensive coordinator

The Jets are the only team in the NFL to rank in the top five in total defense and pass defense in each of the last three seasons. In terms of total yardage, they were No. 5 in 2022 with 5,288 yards allowed, no. 3 in 2023 with 4,969 meters allowed and no. 3 in 2024 with 5,334 yards allowed. By passing, the Jets were no. 3 in 2022 with 3,220 yards allowed, no. 2 in 2023 with 2,861 yards allowed and no. 4 in 2024 with 3,275 yards allowed.

However, New York’s run defense could have been better during this time, its best season coming in 2022 when it allowed 2,068 yards rushing to rank 16..

And in 2021, the Jets’ defensive numbers were tough across the board: No. 32 in yards allowed (6,760), no. 30 in passing yards allowed (4,409) and no. 29 in yards rushing allowed (2,351).

Two notable names Rutenberg coached in New York were linebackers Quincy Williams and CJ Mosley. Williams was an AP All-Pro first-teamer in 2023. Mosley was a Pro Bowler and AP All-Pro second-teamer in 2022.

Prior to the Jets, Rutenberg served as the passing game specialist for the San Francisco 49ers in 2020. He helped their defense rank fourth in pass defense, fifth in total defense and seventh in run defense.

Rutenberg was with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013-19 and held three different positions. He started as assistant defensive backs coach (2013-15), moved to assistant defensive backs coach (2016-17) and then finished as assistant linebackers coach (2018-19).

Rutenberg entered the NFL through the then Washington Redskins, initially as a player personnel intern in 2003 and then an assistant to former head coach Joe Gibbs from 2004-05.

During that 2006-12 gap, Rutenberg worked at the collegiate level, splitting time between UCLA, New Mexico State and the University of San Diego.

The 2025 season will be Rutenberg’s 16th as a football coach.