Jeff Ulbrich

Jeff Ulbrich (/ˈʊlbrᵻk/; born February 17, 1977) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2000 to 2009. He was drafted by the 49ers in the 3rd round (86th overall) in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii. Ulbrich is currently the linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.

Early years

Ulbrich attended Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, California, and lettered three times in football and twice in wrestling. In football he was a First-team All-League and team MVP. In wrestling, he won a league title (192 pounds).

College

Ulbrich redshirted in his lone season at San Jose State before transferring to Gavilan College. He earned first-team All-Conference and team MVP in lone season at Gavilan College in Gilroy, California. He was a two-year starter at Hawaii. He earned All-WAC first-team selection and team co-captain as a senior. He started all 12 games at middle linebacker. He led the conference with a school-record 169 tackles (42 solo) his senior year. Ulbrich set a school record with 127 assisted tackles, breaking the old mark of 97. He ranked third in the league with eight sacks for 67 yards. He had 15 tackles for loss (58 yards). He was credited with eight quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He returned two interceptions for 38 yards and had one pass defensed. He played in seven games, starting three at strong side inside linebacker as a junior. He finished with 41 tackles (28 solo), including a nine-yard sack. He caused and recovered a fumble.

Professional

San Francisco 49ers

Ulbrich was drafted out of the University of Hawaii by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (86th pick overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. He only saw action in four games during his rookie season due to a right shoulder injury. He won the starting job in 2001. In 2005, he started only five games at inside linebacker before missing the remainder of the season with a torn biceps muscle. He started in 9 out of 16 games in 2006. Ulbrich took a backup role to first round pick Patrick Willis, and also a role on special teams. He was placed on injured reserve on October 19, 2009 after he suffered a concussion. Ulbrich announced his plans to retire as a result of the concussion on December 9, and he has said that he would like to become a college football coach one day.

Ulbrich was hired by the Seattle Seahawks as a special teams assistant on January 29, 2010. He became the UCLA Bruins special team and linebackers coach in 2012 and helped leading the Bruins to the Pac-12 South Division Championship in his first year. One of his players, Anthony Barr led the nation in sacks with 13.5.

After three years at UCLA, Ulbrich left to become the linebackers coach of the Atlanta Falcons.