University of Cincinnati coach accepts job with Jets

University of Cincinnati defensive line coach Greg Scruggs has accepted a job with the Jets, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Scruggs, who has worked at Cincinnati since 2018, will join the Jets as an assistant defensive line coach. He will replace Nate Ollie, who left the Jets this offseason to become the Colts’ defensive line coach.

Scruggs has not officially signed with the Jets, per The Athletic’s Connor Hughes, but he is expected to join Robert Saleh’s staff.

The Bearcats’ defense line played well under Scruggs’ direction. Cincinnati finished with 39 sacks in 2021 – second in the AAC and 18th in the country – while the team allowed just 4.5 yards per play, fourth-best in the country. Defensive tackle Curtis Brooks tallied 10 sacks over the past two seasons, while edge rusher Myjai Sanders finished with 9.5 over that span.

Scruggs, 31, has NFL playing experience as well. The Seahawks made him a seventh-round pick in 2012. Saleh was Seattle’s defensive quality control coach at the time. Scruggs played in 18 career games over four seasons for the Seahawks and Bears. He totaled three career sacks.

Now Scruggs will help a Jets defense that tallied just 33 sacks in 2021.