Jeff FitzGerald, an 18-year veteran in NFL coaching, returns for his fourth season on the Bengals staff in 2011. Over his first three years, Cincinnati’s defense has improved notably, and the linebackers have played a key role.
Jeff FitzGerald, an 18-year veteran in NFL coaching, returns for his fourth season on the Bengals staff in 2011. Over his first three years, Cincinnati’s defense has improved notably, and the linebackers have played a key role.
Last season was a “trifecta” year for the linebackers in the team tackling totals, as starters Dhani Jones, Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga finished 1-2-3 on the squad. FitzGerald has developed some of the club’s most crucial young talent while also showing a knack for getting the most from a veteran. MLB Jones, who played his 11th NFL season in 2010, led the team in tackles (160) for the third straight season.
Also last season, WLB Rivers was second with 95 tackles, despite playing nearly the full year with a painful foot condition (plantar fasciitis). Maualuga, who showed progress at SLB during his second season, will switch to MLB under FitzGerald’s guidance in 2011.
FitzGerald’s tenure has also coincided with the development of LB Brandon Johnson. Arriving in Cincinnati in 2008 after a sluggish NFL start with Arizona, the former fifth-round draft choice has played every Cincinnati game with 15 starts over three seasons, with productive totals in all areas.
FitzGerald directed Baltimore’s talented LB corps from 2004-07, and in ’06, he became only the second LB coach in NFL history to have four of his players named to the Pro Bowl in the same season. The four Ravens LBs named to the Pro Bowl for the 2006 season were Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas.
FitzGerald has become known on the Bengals practice field for setting an upbeat tempo.
“I like to move around fast at practice,” he says. “I like my players to move fast. I like a lot of energy.”
FitzGerald’s birthdate is April 18, 1960. He is a native of Burbank, Calif. He played LB at Oregon State and became a college coach in 1985 as a graduate assistant at the University of Cincinnati. He began his NFL career with Tampa Bay in 1990, spending four seasons during which he worked with defensive backs and special teams. Also at Tampa Bay, he worked in computer and video operations, two areas in which he has become known for his expertise.
FitzGerald has also helped develop and coach the LB drills at the annual NFL Scouting Combine for the last 13 years.
A professionally trained race driver, FitzGerald enjoys spending his time off instructing new drivers throughout the country with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. He also has traveled widely, including Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia and throughout Europe.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY - 1980: Played LB at Oregon State before suffering knee injury. 1981-83: Attended Cal State-Northridge (did not play football). 1981-84: Assistant coach (AC) at John Burroughs High School (1981-82) and Burbank (Calif.) High School ('83-84), while completing undergraduate studies at Cal State-Northridge. 1985: Graduate AC, Univ. of Cincinnati. 1986-87: Graduate AC, Univ. of Alabama. 1988-89: AC, Alabama. 1990-93: AC, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 1994-97: AC, San Diego State. 1998-99: AC, Washington Redskins. 2000-03: AC, Arizona Cardinals. 2004-07: AC, Baltimore Ravens. 2008-present: AC, Bengals.
