HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (June 2, 2005) -- The New York Jets have extended the contract of defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, under whom their defense moved last season from 21st to seventh in yards allowed.
Henderson, who had coached Baltimore's secondary from 1999-2003, took over when Ted Cottrell was fired after the 2003 season.
In addition to ranking in the top ten in yards allowed, the Jets allowed 16.3 points a game, third best in team history and had 33 takeaways, fourth best in the NFL. They also shut out their opponents in the second half of seven games, best in the league.
"Donnie Henderson instilled a fire in our defensive unit that had an effect on the entire football team," coach Herman Edwards said in announcing the extension. Before joining the Ravens, Henderson was an assistant coach at Utah State, Idaho, California, Arizona State and Houston.
