New York Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff is retiring following Sunday’s season finale against the Buffalo Bills.
It marks the end of his 30 years coaching in the NFL where he’s been highly regarded as one of the most innovative special teams coaches in the league. Westhoff has spent the last 12 years with the Jets after three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and 15 years with the Miami Dolphins.
According to Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press, Westhoff is hoping to move into the media world. Westhoff is hoping he can carve out a niche as a special teams analyst similar to how FOX uses former NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira during telecasts.
“I’d like to create a little bit of a niche somewhere with someone,” Westhoff said. “I don’t want to be the guy that talks about who should be the quarterback. We have enough of that.”
Westhoff became a more prominent figure nationally after the Jets appeared on HBO’s Hard Knocks series in 2011. His frequent and biting expletive-laden rants at players during practices were thoroughly entertaining.
Assistant Ben Kotwica will take over as special teams coach as Westhoff retires.