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Posted April 28, 2011 by David Graff, CEO of HUDL

We had the privilege of having Mike Pettine, defensive coordinator for the New York Jets, speak at our most
recent Hudl Jets Event. In each of his two seasons as defensive coordinator, Coach Pettine¶s squad has ranked
among the top three defenses in the NFL and finished first in total defense in 2009.

The Jets¶ operate on a no-nonsense system. They only want people in the program who are there for the right
reasons and there to work. Coach Pettine let us in on the Jets¶ defensive philosophy, goals, and objectives.

The New York Jets have one goal:    
. They are very cautious of anything that could keep
them from their goal, including:

˜Ê Petty jealousy ± a ³me first´ attitude

˜Ê Lack of respect for each other
˜Ê ³Know it all´ mentality²not being open to coaching
˜Ê Off-the-field issues²everyone represents the team at all times
˜Ê Lack of communication²verbal and non-verbal
˜Ê Poor conditioning²not taking care of yourself
˜Ê Not working each day to perfect technique²developing poor practice habits
˜Ê Lack of mental preparation/attention to detail²film study, playbook, scouting reports
˜Ê Not having fun²taking game or yourself too seriously
˜Ê Poor focus²taking your eyes off the prize

The Jets¶ defensive philosophy is simple - r      , or K.I.L.L.

        
1.Ê Prevent points
2.Ê Force turnovers
3.Ê Score
4.Ê Force the ball back to the offense in great field position


 !"   #

˜Ê ±e in great shape²fly to the ball, wear out the opponent
˜Ê Use great fundamentals/techniques²tackle, beat blocks
˜Ê Simple (yet multiple) schemes²µpart to whole¶ learning
˜Ê Create confusion through movement and disguise
˜Ê Communication²everyone must be on the same page
 ˜Ê Pressure the offense (calculated, not reckless)²make the offense react
˜Ê Create mismatches²exploit their weaker players, protects yours
˜Ê Defend formations²stop what they do best
˜Ê Defend their best players²scheme to minimize the effect of their best weapons
˜Ê Prepare efficiently, pay attention to detail²work smarter than your opponent
˜Ê In the end, it¶s all about the team.

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Mike Pettine started his coaching career in the high school ranks. His father, Mike Sr., was head coach for 33
years at Central ±ucks West High School in Doylestown, Penn. Pettine played for his dad before graduating in
1984, and assisted him for five seasons (1988-92). When Mike Sr. retired as a head coach after the 1999 season,
he was the winningest coach in the history of Pennsylvania High School football with a career record of 326-42-
4.

±efore entering the NFL, Pettine was the head coach at North Penn High School in Towamencin Township,
Penn., a suburb of Philadelphia. Pettine¶s 1999 team was featured in the ESPN documentary, ³The Season.´
That team went 11-2, with the only two losses to his father¶s Central ±ucks West team, which won the state title
in his father¶s final season as a head coach. His dad came out of retirement to assist him during the 2001 season,
Pettine¶s final year coaching in high school.

Pettine¶s teams won 45 games in five seasons at North Penn. He was also the head coach at William Tennent
High School in Warminster, Penn. for two seasons, leading that team to a school-record nine wins in 1996.

Pettine spent the previous four seasons before coming to the Jets coaching the outside linebackers for the
±altimore Ravens and was a part of the Ravens organization from 2002 to 2008. During his four seasons as the
outside linebackers coach, the Ravens defense finished fifth (2005), first (2006), sixth (2007) and second (2008)
in the NFL. In 2006, the defense allowed only 201 points and 264 yards per game.

±efore he was promoted to OL± coach in 2005, Pettine assisted Ryan in 2004 coaching the defensive line. In
2002-03, Pettine used his computer expertise to help develop playbooks, scouting reports and video analysis for
the defensive coaches. Through the years he has produced innovative coaching programs that utilize football
video to develop playbooks and analyze game video.

After coaching with his dad for five seasons, Pettine served as a graduate assistant on Johnny Majors¶ coaching
staff at the University of Pittsburgh for two seasons (1993-94).