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Joe Cullen (American football)

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Joe Cullen
Kansas City Chiefs
Position:Defensive line coach
Personal information
Born: (1967-12-15) December 15, 1967 (age 56)
Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.
Career information
College:UMass
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Record at Pro Football Reference

Joe Cullen (born December 15, 1967) is an American football coach who is the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

Early years

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Cullen was a four-year starting nose guard at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he started 45 straight games. He was a three-time All-Yankee Conference selection and was the Minutemen's team MVP in 1989.

He graduated from UMass in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in sports management. He spent a year as a graduate assistant there before becoming a position coach.

Coaching career

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Early career

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Cullen's first coaching job was in 1992–98 at the University of Richmond. He coached the defensive line at Louisiana State University in 1999 and at the University of Memphis in 2001. From 2002 to 2003 he was Indiana University's defensive line coach and in 2004 was promoted to defensive coordinator. He was at the University of Illinois in 2005.[1]

Detroit Lions

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In 2006, Cullen was hired by the Detroit Lions as their defensive line coach.[2] Under Cullen, four different Lions players recorded career-high sack numbers.

Idaho State

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In 2009, Cullen joined Idaho State University as their defensive line coach.[3]

Jacksonville Jaguars

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In 2010, Cullen was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their defensive line coach.[4] Under Cullen, the Jaguars overall ranked sixth in yards allowed and fifth in yards per carry.

Cleveland Browns

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In 2013, Cullen was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their defensive line coach.[5] The Browns recorded 41 sacks and allowed 3.9 yards a carry that season. Both were the best the franchise had done in the previous 18 years.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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In 2014, Cullen was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their defensive line coach under head coach Lovie Smith. Over those two seasons, the Bucs ranked seventh in combined sacks and tackles for loss.

Baltimore Ravens

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In 2016, Cullen was hired by the Baltimore Ravens as their defensive line coach under head coach John Harbaugh.[6]

Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)

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On February 11, 2021, Cullen was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their defensive coordinator under head coach Urban Meyer.[7] Cullen was not retained following the conclusion of the 2021 season.[8]

Kansas City Chiefs

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On February 5, 2022, Cullen was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as the team's defensive line coach for the 2022 season.[9] Cullen became a Super Bowl champion in his first season with the Chiefs when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35 in Super Bowl LVII.[10] In 2023, Cullen won his second straight Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII.[11]

Personal life

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Joe and his wife, Andrea, were married in June 2013 and have three daughters: Julia, Justina, and Jenna.[12]

Cullen was fired shortly after his hire at the University of Mississippi after being charged with drunk and disorderly conduct after passing out in a local Subway.[13]

Cullen was arrested in 2006 for driving under the influence as the defensive line coach of the Detroit Lions. In another incident, also during the 2006 pre-season, he was arrested after he drove through a Wendy's drive-thru naked.[14] He was fined $20,000 and suspended for one game by the NFL for "conduct detrimental to the league" and sentenced by a judge to 10 days of community service and to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Baltimore Raven Coach Biography: Joe Cullen".
  2. ^ Goldman, Charles (February 7, 2022). "4 things to know about new Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Frenette, Gene (February 15, 2010). "Jaguars new assistant coach Joe Cullen is out to show he deserves another chance". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  4. ^ DiRocco, Michael (January 26, 2010). "Jaguars hire Joe Cullen to coach defensive line, fire Ted Monachino". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Pokorny, Chris (January 22, 2013). "Browns Hire Joe Cullen as DL Coach: He's a 4-3 Guy". Dawgs By Nature. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "Baltimore Raven Coach Biography: Joe Cullen".
  7. ^ Oehser, John (February 11, 2021). "Official: Cullen, defensive staff named". www.jaguars.com. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  8. ^ Reid, John (February 3, 2022). "Jaguars part ways with defensive coordinator Joe Cullen". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Dixon, John (February 4, 2022). "Chiefs hire Joe Cullen as defensive line coach, move Brendan Daly". Arrowhead Pride. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  10. ^ "Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  11. ^ Maaddi, Rob (February 12, 2024). "Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over 49ers in overtime". AP News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  12. ^ Benoit, Andy (October 10, 2018). "The Drive-Thru, The Fallout and The Comeback". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "Joe Cullen". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  14. ^ "Joe Cullen's arrest in 2006". www.wzzm13.com. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  15. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (December 19, 2006). "NFL suspends Cullen one game, fines him $20K". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
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