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University of Massachusets Athletics
Football Alumnus Joe Cullen '90 Named Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive Coordinator
February 11, 2021 | Football
Four-year letterman, former assistant coach joins Urban Meyer's NFL staff
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - University of Massachusetts alumnus and four-year football letterwinner Joe Cullen '90 was named the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator on Thursday. Cullen brings more than three decades of coaching experience, primarily on the defensive side of the ball, to Urban Meyer's staff in Jacksonville.
Cullen was a standout on the UMass defense during his playing days, during which he started 45 games at nose guard over his four seasons. Cullen won All-Yankee Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior, and was a captain for former head coach Jim Reid's 1989 squad. He posted 275 career tackles, 31.0 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two pass breakups between 1986-89. The Minutemen won the Yankee Conference in 1986 and 1989, and earned an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1989.
Following graduation, Cullen served as the UMass running backs coach in 1990 and the defensive line coach in 1991. He also has coached collegiately at Richmond (1992-1996, defensive line; 1997-1998/2000, defensive coordinator), Louisiana State (1999, defensive line), Memphis (2001, defensive line), Indiana (2002-2003, defensive line; 2004, defensive coordinator), Illinois (defensive assistant, 2005) and Idaho State (2009).
Cullen begins his Jaguars tenure with 14 years of experience in the NFL. It includes the defensive line coaching positions with the Baltimore Ravens (2016-20), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-2015), Cleveland Browns (2013), Jaguars (2010-2012) and Detroit Lions (2006-2008).
Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).
Cullen was a standout on the UMass defense during his playing days, during which he started 45 games at nose guard over his four seasons. Cullen won All-Yankee Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior, and was a captain for former head coach Jim Reid's 1989 squad. He posted 275 career tackles, 31.0 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two pass breakups between 1986-89. The Minutemen won the Yankee Conference in 1986 and 1989, and earned an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1989.
Following graduation, Cullen served as the UMass running backs coach in 1990 and the defensive line coach in 1991. He also has coached collegiately at Richmond (1992-1996, defensive line; 1997-1998/2000, defensive coordinator), Louisiana State (1999, defensive line), Memphis (2001, defensive line), Indiana (2002-2003, defensive line; 2004, defensive coordinator), Illinois (defensive assistant, 2005) and Idaho State (2009).
Cullen begins his Jaguars tenure with 14 years of experience in the NFL. It includes the defensive line coaching positions with the Baltimore Ravens (2016-20), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-2015), Cleveland Browns (2013), Jaguars (2010-2012) and Detroit Lions (2006-2008).
Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).
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