Fuente: © Detroit Lions
http://www.detroitlions.com/

NFL: LIONS: Donnie Henderson Named Lions Defensive Coordinator

Henderson joins Lions coaching staff after spending the last two seasons with the Jets

/noticias.info/ ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions Head Coach Rod Marinelli has named Donnie Henderson as the team’s new defensive coordinator. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

Henderson joins the Lions coaching staff after spending the last two seasons as the New York Jets defensive coordinator. Originally hired by New York January 26, 2004, Henderson made an immediate impact on the Jets defense in his first season. From 2003 to 2004, New York improved from 21st to seventh in total defense, 23rd to fourth in the NFL in points allowed and 28th to fifth in rushing yards allowed. The team’s 261 points allowed in 2004 was just 10 points more than the league-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, and it ranked third-best in team history. The Jets 2004 defense also garnered a league-leading seven second-half shutouts, and held nine teams under 100 yards rushing, which included just two 100-yard rushers.

Among the seven new starters on the Jets ’04 defense was rookie LB Jonathan Vilma, who was named the 2004 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Last year, the Jets defense was stellar against the pass. The unit finished second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed per game (172.2) and was fifth in interceptions (21). In total defense, the Jets were fifth in the AFC (12th in NFL) allowing 308.8 yards per game.

Between Marinelli (Tampa Bay 1996-05) and Henderson (Baltimore 1999-03; New York Jets 2004-05), their respective defenses have ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in total defense a combined 14 out of 17 times, and in the top 15 in 16 of 17 seasons. Included in that total are 11 top 5 rankings, nine top 3 rankings and six top 2 rankings.

Prior to joining the New York Jets staff, Henderson spent five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, and was part of the franchise’s Super Bowl XXXV championship team. He was hired as the assistant defensive backs coach in 1999 and was promoted to defensive backs coach in 2000. The Baltimore, Md., native tutored a secondary that was key in the team finishing in the top 10 in pass defense in three of the four seasons he oversaw the position group

From 2000-03, the Ravens recorded 88 interceptions, which tied for the second-most in the league over those four seasons. Among the players he coached were three Pro Bowlers (S Rod Woodson, CB Chris McAlister and S Ed Reed), which represented Baltimore in the league’s annual all-star game a combined four times during Henderson’s tenure as defensive backs coach.

In 2000, Baltimore set new NFL defensive standards as they went on to claim the Super Bowl title. The team established a new 16-game record for fewest points allowed (165) and fewest rushing yards allowed (970). The secondary, led by Woodson, who was named to his ninth Pro Bowl that season, set a team mark with 23 interceptions. The Ravens defense led the NFL with 49 takeaways. The Ravens allowed an NFL-best 11 touchdown passes in 20 games (regular season and post-season). The secondary recorded 12 interceptions (two in postseason), six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.

Before entering the NFL coaching ranks, Henderson served as the defensive backs and assistant head coach at the University of Houston in 1998. Henderson spent six seasons (1992-97) with the Arizona State coaching staff, coaching safeties from 1992-94 and defensive backs from 1995-97. He spent two years (1990-91) coaching linebackers at the University of California, and he served on the same defensive coaching staff as Marinelli, who was with the Golden Bears football program from 1983-91. Henderson was defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator and at the University of Idaho in 1989.

Henderson’s coaching career began at his alma mater, Utah State, in 1983 as a graduate assistant, and he then took over the Aggies’ linebackers in 1986. He was an assistant coach at Utah State from 1983-88.

Henderson played two seasons at Santa Monica Junior College before transferring to Utah State, where he earned first-team all-PCAA honors as a senior cornerback. While playing at Utah State, Marinelli was the Aggies defensive line coach. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 1980 NFL draft. Born in Baltimore, Md., Henderson attended Locke High School in Los Angeles, Calif.

Henderson's Coaching Background
New York Jets 2004-05
Defensive Coordinator 2004-05
Baltimore Ravens 1999-03
Defensive Backs 2000-03
Assistant Defensive Backs 1999
Houston 1998
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs 1998
Arizona State 1992-97
Defensive Backs 1995-97
Safeties 1992-94
California 1990-91
Linebackers 1990-91
Idaho 1989
Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator 1989
Utah State 1983-88
Linebackers 1986-88
Graduate Assistant 1983-85 notas_de_prensa_archivo