| BigChiefFan |
01-06-2006 10:20 PM |
Head Coach Edwards, Herman
5 years NFL HC 15 years ASST. In NFL
New York Jets Head Coach Herman Edwards' endless passion for the game of football combined with a relentless work ethic has quickly earned him the distinction of being one of the NFL's bright, innovative head coaches. Edwards, who guided the Jets to back-to-back AFC playoff berths (2001 and 2002), led the Green and White to the 2002 AFC East title in what is widely considered to be the most competitive division in all of professional football. He became the ONLY coach in New York Jets history to have guided the Jets to winning seasons in three of his first four years. In the 2004 season, the Jets finished the regular season with a 10-6 record and a 1-1 record in the postseason. He guided the Jets to a 6-2 mark at home this season and a 4-4 record in road games. Edwards, by virtue of the Jets' 2004 Wild Card berth became the first head coach in New York Jets history to have earned admission into the postseason on three separate occasions. Edwards also has earned the distinction of becoming the first Jets coach to lead the Jets to two AFC Divisional Playoff games (2002 and 2004), and became the first coach since Walt Michaels in 1982 to lead the Jets to a playoff road win when the Jets defeated the AFC West Champions San Diego Chargers.
Edwards 10-6 record made him just the third head coach in franchise history to lead his team to double-digit wins in different seasons with the Jets. Edwards, perhaps one of the finest coaches in the NFL in adverse situations, helped the Jets rally from a two-game slide, and the loss of QB Chad Pennington in early November, to earn two big road wins in a row, thus closing out the month of November 3-2.
The Jets' 2004 defense showed a marked improvement from the 2003 season, and surrendered an average of only 16.3 points per game, the third lowest average of points allowed in the team's 45-year history, bested only by the mark in 1993 (15.4) and 1985 (15.9). The Jets' defense limited opposing offenses only 38.0 conversion success on third downs and surrendered more than 20 points in a game only five times this season (weeks one, two, 10, week 16 and 17).
In 2003, Edwards and the Jets were forced to deal with a major setback when quarterback, and team leader, Chad Pennington suffered a broken wrist that sidelined him for the first half of the season. The Jets struggled to find their rhythm in the early portion of the season and fell behind the pack in the AFC East. However, under Edwards' guidance, the Jets rallied in the second half of the season and climbed into contention. In December, the Jets shifted gears and convincingly defeated one of the NFL's hottest teams, the Tennessee Titans, in an emotionally charged Monday Night game at The Meadowlands, 24-17.
Edwards' leadership style is a unique combination of honesty, innovation, motivation and trust. He applies a wealth of knowledge gleaned from years of playing the game at the highest level, combined with having learned the intricacies of the game from some of the most astute people in the National Football League, such as Kansas City's Dick Vermeil and Indianapolis' Tony Dungy. In his fourth season as a head coach, Edwards has guided the Jets to the third-best winning percentage in Club history (.547) and reached the 30-win mark quicker than any coach in team history (53 games) except for Joe Walton (52 games).
His now famous mantra, "You Play to Win The Game," was one of the most lasting memories of the 2002 NFL season and became the Jets' rallying cry for their remarkable second half of the season comeback, turning a tumultuous 2-5 start into a stretch where the Jets captured seven of their last nine games and earned the division title.
As the head coach of the Jets, Edwards has piloted the Green and White to a 35-29 regular season record (.547 winning percentage) and an overall mark of 37-31 (.544 winning percentage). In 2002, Edwards' Jets conquered the AFC East after a hard-fought battle all season long against division foes such as the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins and the upstart Buffalo Bills. Edwards has guided the Jets to the postseason in 2001, 2002 and 2004.
Edwards, a model of consistency and class, became the first coach in Club history to lead the Jets to the postseason in his first year with the Club. He followed up the accomplishment by once again guiding the Jets to the postseason in 2002 and capped the season with a convincing 41-0 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at The Meadowlands, before falling to the eventual AFC Champion Oakland Raiders in an AFC Divisional playoff game. The AFC East title marked the Club's second division title since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 and the Jets' back-to-back playoff appearances were the first for the organization since the 1985-86 seasons.
The Jets' 2002 AFC East title was a product of the team winning seven of the last nine regular season games; three of the last four; eight of the last 10 and four in a row at home. In addition, the Jets' 41-0 playoff win over the Indianapolis Colts in the postseason was the first playoff shutout in Club history and marked the second most points scored in a shutout win in NFL annals, while the 41 points scored were the second most in team history in a playoff game.
Edwards was one of just two AFC coaches to take his Club to back-to-back playoff appearances (2001-2002), joining Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher (the Oakland Raiders also accomplished the feat, in 2001 under Jon Gruden and in 2002 under Bill Callahan).
As the head coach of the Jets, Edwards guided the Jets to the best regular season road record in his first two seasons (11-5). In addition, Edwards' teams have been penalized the fewest times for the fewest yards of negative yardage in the last four seasons, a direct testament to the discipline he has instilled in the team.
Edwards was the only coach out of six newcomers in their first year with their respective teams in 2001 to earn a playoff spot.
In Edwards' first season with the Jets in 2001, he oversaw the implementation of new offensive, defensive and special teams philosophies. Edwards kept a forceful hand on the controls and guided the Jets to their first playoff appearance since 1998. Besides his 10-win season, perhaps the most indicative statistic supporting the effectiveness and diligence of Edwards' coaching style was the discipline the team displayed, garnering an NFL-low 63 penalties for a League-low 507 yards.
Relying on a respect-based managing style, keen preparation and a belief in his players and coaching staff, Edwards pushed a diverse roster featuring solid experienced athletes and youthful players into believing in a common goal of reaching the postseason.
The Jets set a franchise mark for most road wins in a season going 7-1, which topped their 5-2 record in 1968. Additionally, the Green and White's 7-1 road record tied them with Philadelphia for the second most wins in 2001 (STL, 8-0).
Besides the Jets' hustle and grit, Edwards' squad also showed a penchant for fourth quarter comebacks in 2001, with five come-from-behind victories in the fourth quarter, highlighted by the team's thrilling 24-22 season finale win at Oakland on place kicker John Hall's 53-yard field goal with just 59 seconds left in the game.
Edwards' 2001 Jets led the NFL in turnover differential with a +18, a margin of one over their closest rival, Edwards' former club, Tampa Bay, who finished with a +17 ratio. The Jets produced the second most take-aways (39) in the AFC and tied with the Bucs for second most in the NFL behind Cleveland's 42. The Jets also proved to be frugal in turning the ball over, relinquishing it just 21 times all season, tied for the fewest in the AFC with Seattle and Pittsburgh and trailing only San Francisco's 19 in the NFL. This season, the Jets were a +17 in the +/- category, which placed them second in the league.
Edwards received numerous accolades throughout his rookie coaching campaign for his willingness and cooperation with the media. He also was awarded the Staples "NFL Coach of the Week Award" following the Jets' 21-17 comeback win over the Miami Dolphins on October 14, 2001.
Following his rookie season as Head Coach, Edwards was rewarded by Jets' Owner Woody Johnson, President Jay Cross and Executive Vice President/ General Manager Terry Bradway with a one-year contract extension, thus extending his contract through the 2005 NFL season. Edwards signed a four-year contract extension this past February, thus extending his contract through the 2007 season.
Edwards was named the Jets' 13th full-time head coach on January 18, 2001. The former NFL standout defensive back earned the reputation as an excellent communicator and one of the best teachers during his time spent as assistant head coach/defensive backfield coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996-2000). At Tampa, he worked closely with current Indianapolis Colts and former Bucs' Head Coach Tony Dungy with the day-to-day administrative dealings associated with the head coach's role.
While with the Bucs, Edwards helped the secondary become one of the NFL's consistently top-ranked units. In 2000, CB Donnie Abraham (team-high 7 INT) and FS John Lynch (3 INT) each earned Pro Bowl recognition and, collectively, the group recorded 25 interceptions, which tied for first in the NFC and third in the NFL. The Bucs' 41 take-aways tied for second in the NFC and fourth in the NFL. The Bucs' defense also finished +17 in the plus/minus category, tops in the NFC and tied for third best in the NFL. The Bucs' defense finished fourth in the NFC in total defense, allowing 300.0 yards per game (9th in NFL) and under his tutelage, the Bucs finished in the top 10 in pass defense in four of the five seasons. Edwards had a major hand in overseeing the NFL's second ranked pass defenses in both 1998 and 1999.
Under Edwards' mentoring Lynch earned three Pro Bowl berths (2000, 1999 and 1998) and Abraham earned one (2000), thus marking the first Pro Bowl appearances by a member of the Tampa Bay defensive backfield since Wayne Haddix in 1990. In 1999, Edwards' troops turned in a stellar effort in the playoffs, holding the second ranked Washington Redskins' passing attack to a mere 121 passing yards and the top-ranked St. Louis offense to just 258 yards through the air. His 1998 group, despite battling through a rash of injuries and the integration of young players, managed to surrender an average of just 172.6 yards per game, the club's best single-season showing since 1982.
In 1997, the Bucs' secondary completed its second consecutive stellar performance under Edwards, finishing in the top 10 in pass defense. While in his first season with Tampa Bay (1996), Edwards led the group to a fourth place ranking in pass defense by limiting opponents to just 182.8 passing yards per game.
Edwards joined the Buccaneers after having worked the previous six years (1990-95) in several different capacities with the Kansas City Chiefs. In 1995, he worked as a scout in the pro personnel department and from 1992-94 he served as the Chiefs' defensive backs coach and was credited with the development of CB Dale Carter, the AFC's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1992 and S Charles Mincy, while also coaching Pro Bowlers S Kevin Ross and CB Albert Lewis. In each of his three seasons as the Chiefs' defensive backfield coach, KC ranked in the NFL's top three in take-aways and in the top 10 in pass defense. The 1992 season saw the Chiefs lead the AFC, and finish second in the NFL, in pass defense, surrendering a mere 158.6 yards per game.
In 1990-91, Edwards was a talent scout for the Chiefs while also serving as an assistant to Tony Dungy, then the Chiefs' defensive backs coach. It was also at that time Edwards had the opportunity to closely work with Jets' Executive Vice President/ General Manager Terry Bradway, who was also working in the personnel department of the Chiefs. Edwards initially worked for the Chiefs in the summer of 1989 as the recipient of the team's Minority Coaching Fellowship.
Edwards began his coaching career at San Jose State as the Defensive Back coach from 1987-89 and during each of his three seasons at SJSU, the Spartans' opponents completed less than 50% of their passes.
As a player, Edwards played 10 seasons in the NFL, including nine with the Philadelphia Eagles (1977-85), after signing as a rookie free agent following his collegiate career. He was signed as a rookie by current Chiefs' President and General Manager Carl Peterson, who at the time, was the Eagles' director of player personnel. Edwards went on to earn a starting cornerback position in his first preseason game as a rookie at cornerback and proceeded to start the next 135 regular season games during his stellar Eagle career. His career was highlighted by second-team All-NFC honors in 1980 and 1982 and an appearance in Super Bowl XV, a 27-10 Raiders win over the Eagles. He departed Philadelphia with 33 career interceptions, which currently ranks third in the Eagles' record books. In addition, he recorded five postseason interceptions, and combined with his regular season interception total, his 38 interceptions stand as a team record.
Edwards gained fame for one of the most memorable plays in Meadowlands history when he recovered a fumble by New York Giants' QB Joe Pisarcik and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown with :31 remaining in Philadelphia's 19-17 "Miracle in The Meadowlands" win on November 19, 1978.
In his final NFL season as a player, Edwards' played in four games for the Los Angeles Rams and three for the Atlanta Falcons, before announcing his retirement during the season on November 11, 1986.
COLLEGE: Edwards began his college career at the University of California-Berkeley and played there in 1972 and 1974. He earned Pac-8 (now Pac-10) honors and set a Golden Bears' record with four interceptions in one game. He played the 1973 season at Monterey Peninsula Junior College and his senior season at San Diego State.
PERSONAL: Earned his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from San Diego State.
He was recently named as a charter member of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which serves as a conduit between NFL minority coaches and executives in an effort to ensure minorities receive equal consideration for all League job openings.
Herman Edwards is a strong proponent of being a positive role model and is one of the organization's most active participants in off-the-field outreach programs. In 2002, he was served as a national spokesperson for the National Sportsmanship Day, an event promoted through the Institute for International Sport, which serves as a forum for students, teachers, coaches, parents and fans to discuss pertinent issues of ethics, fair play and sportsmanship. He also was recognized by the One Hundred Black Men, Inc. and The Association For A Better New York in 2003 for his outstanding contributions to society.
Edwards and his wife, Lia, work closely with the American Diabetes Association chapter in New York City. In 2004, Edwards launched the inaugural Herm Edwards Golf Classic at the prestigious Piping Rock Country Club on the north shore of Long Island, which raised more than $200,000 for Generation Jets Academy.
He and his wife were guests of President George W. Bush at a 2002 White House function celebrating Martin Luther King's birthday. This event was part of a national campaign that encouraged all United States citizens to work on improving the country through volunteerism.
Edwards hosted a youth football clinic for 250 children in New York City's Central Park in June of 2002 and 2003 and also conducted a Coaches Clinic for 300 area football coaches at Fordham University. In addition, Edwards has been named the recipient of the Staples "NFL Coach of the Week" honor three times (once each in 2001, 2002 and 2003), every year he has been an NFL head coach. Additionally, Edwards was named the recipient of the New York Sports Award as the area's Coach of the Year in 2002.
A frequent motivational speaker at area schools, Edwards espouses the power of positive thinking, teamwork, family values and religion in his speeches. Edwards has also served as a featured speaker at his alma mater, San Diego State, at their annual Coach's Clinic for high school and college coaches.
He is also a proponent of the New York Jets Women's Organization, founded by his wife, Lia, which supports The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network), the Nassau County Coalition of Domestic Violence, Mercy First, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Diabetes Research Institute and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Edwards was named to the Positive Coaching Alliance's National Advisory Committee in the spring of 2003. Edwards will help spread the organization's message to preserve the "purity of the game of football" and to coach in a positive manner. Edwards is joined on the advisory committee with former NBA Head Coach Phil Jackson and Detroit Pistons Head Coach Larry Brown.
With Tampa Bay, Edwards and the Buccaneers' secondary implemented a youth enrichment program called "Focus and Finish," in which they encouraged high school athletes to excel in academics, athletics and as citizens in their communities through volunteering, tutoring and mentoring. Students were rewarded for their work with tickets to a game.
Head Coach Herman Edwards received the Big Brother of the Year award by the Catholic Big Brothers for Boys and Girls in June 2002 at its annual awards dinner at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.
Edwards has hosted the Herman Edwards Football Camp for underprivileged children in the Monterey Peninsula for the past nine years and has also hosted the Annual Herman Edwards Charity Golf Classic, which benefits the Boys and Girls Club in Seaside, CA. He graduated from Monterey HS.
Herman Edwards was born in Monmouth, NJ and was raised in Seaside, CA. Edwards and his wife, Lia, have a son, Marcus, who is a scholar-athlete in his senior year at San Diego State University.
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