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Jets hire Mangini as head coach

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini was hired as New York Jets coach Tuesday, becoming the youngest head coach in the NFL.

The Jets called a 4 p.m. ET news conference at which they said they would introduce Mangini as their coach.

Mangini, a disciple of Bill Belichick, turns 35 Thursday. He replaces Herman Edwards, who left for Kansas City after five seasons.

Mangini accepted an offer from the Jets on Monday night, a few hours after the team interviewed former Vikings coach Mike Tice. But the deal wasn't completed until Tuesday morning. Terms of the deal weren't known but it is believed he will get between $2 million and $2.5 million per year over five years.

He emerged as the leading candidate for the Jets last week. Though he is young and has been a coordinator for one season, he is regarded as one of the brightest defensive minds in the game after spending 10 of his 11 seasons in the NFL working under Belichick.

The Jets hope some of the Belichick genius rubbed off on his protege.

"He definitely has the ability to be a great coach in this league," Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour said after New England was eliminated from the playoffs. "He has a lot of tools that it takes. He's very poised. He's a smart guy. He understands defenses and how to take things away from offenses, so he'll probably have a lot of success in this league."

Mangini also has close ties to Jets assistant general manager Mike Tannenbaum and was an assistant with the Jets from 1997-99, working with Belichick in the secondary. Belichick has talked Mangini out of taking coordinator jobs in the past, but was unable to do the same this time.

In a strange twist, Belichick was the Jets coach for one day before changing his mind and bolting for New England in 2000. That connection didn't seem to bother New York and team owner Woody Johnson, who is desperate to gain on the Patriots in the AFC East.

It is believed that defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff will probably not return. All three interviewed for the head coaching job, as did former Saints coach Jim Haslett, former Rams interim coach Joe Vitt and Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis.

The Jets also spoke to three other candidates: former Saints coach Jim Haslett, former Rams interim coach Joe Vitt and Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis.

Mangini is expected to consider Saints offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard for the offensive coordinator's job -- the two also worked together in Cleveland -- and Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan for the same post in New York.



Edwards parted ways with the Jets in a messy split. Speculation for the better part of the season linked him to the Chiefs. Though Johnson told the team in November he wanted Edwards to stay, he made few comments publicly to squelch the rampant speculation the Chiefs wanted his coach.

The idea that Edwards would ask for an extension after going 4-12 may have rubbed some in the organization the wrong way, leaving them no choice but to let Edwards go. After several days of negotiating, the Jets received a fourth-round pick as compensation for Edwards from the Chiefs.

Mangini inherits a team that has its share of questions. That is the big reason why Edwards wanted an extension, because he anticipated it might take a few years to rebuild the team.

Quarterback Chad Pennington is coming off his second major shoulder injury. Though he vowed to be ready for the start of training camp, the Jets plan to bring in a veteran to compete for the starting job.

Another major question is whether veteran running back Curtis Martin will return.

Edwards planned to have Martin back, but Mangini might have different thoughts. The 32-year-old back is coming off knee surgery and might not be viable as a starter anymore. The Jets also need help at offensive line and receiver.

The defense should be the strength of the team, and could be even better with Mangini at the helm. But the Jets must make a decision on whether to put the franchise tag on defensive end John Abraham or sign him to a long-term contract.