The New York Jets are welcoming back Karl Dunbar as their defensive line coach, a decision that is sure to stir excitement among fans. At 58 years old, Dunbar is rejoining the team after previously holding this role from 2012 to 2014, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record.
Dunbar's coaching resume is impressive; he has spent the last eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he shaped a formidable defensive line that led the NFL with an astounding total of 392 sacks. His journey in the NFL coaching landscape spans 19 years, with significant stints at various teams. He began his NFL coaching career in 2004 with the Chicago Bears before moving on to the Minnesota Vikings from 2006 to 2011. Notably, he also worked alongside Rex Ryan at both the Jets and later with the Buffalo Bills in 2015.
During his first tenure with the Jets, Dunbar played a pivotal role in developing standout players such as Sheldon Richardson, who earned the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2013 and accumulated 8 sacks in 2014. Similarly, he helped Mohammed Wilkerson achieve a remarkable 10.5-sack season in 2013, showcasing his ability to nurture talent and enhance performance.
Dunbar's own playing career began at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he was a three-year starter from 1986 to 1989 and recognized as a second-team All-SEC defensive tackle during his senior year. He entered the NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the eighth round of the 1990 draft, picking him at No. 209 overall. After a brief period with the Orlando Thunder in the World League of American Football in 1992, he went on to play three seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals, accumulating 27 tackles over 21 games, and even joined the Rhein Fire in 1995.
Starting his coaching journey in high school football in Louisiana during 1996-97, Dunbar quickly transitioned to college-level coaching. He served as the defensive line coach at Nicholls State from 1998 to 1999, then took on the role of strength and conditioning coach at LSU from 2000 to 2001, followed by coaching the defensive line at Oklahoma State from 2002 to 2003. His career further expanded as he returned to LSU as the defensive line coach in 2005 and later took on the same role at Alabama from 2016 to 2017 under the guidance of Nick Saban.
But here’s where it gets controversial: many fans and analysts have differing opinions on coaching changes, questioning if returning to a previous position truly brings new insights or just revisits past strategies. What do you think? Is bringing back a familiar face like Dunbar a smart move for the Jets, or should they seek fresh perspectives? Share your thoughts below!
