Tragedy struck the Atlanta Falcons and the wider NFL world this week as Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, passed away following a battle with cancer.
Cristina Ulbrich's passing was confirmed by the team in a statement. The Falcons have offered their condolences, thoughts and prayers to Coach Ulbrich and his family during this time.
“The Atlanta Falcons are heartbroken by the passing of Cristina Ulbrich, beloved wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, after her courageous battle with cancer. Cristina was a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose strength, grace, and resilience touched all who knew her. She was a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family, and the broader Falcons community," the team said.
“On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Jeff, their children, and all who loved Cristina.
“During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Ulbrich family. We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve this profound loss, and we stand with them in support and remembrance of Cristina’s life.”
Jeff Ulbrich
Ulbrich played 10 years in the NFL as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers and went into coaching after retiring at the end of 2009. He was promptly hired by the Seattle Seahawks as the team's assistant special teams coordinator and steadily climbed the coaching ladder over the next decade.
After a three-year stint as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at UCLA, Ulbrich was hired by the Falcons as their linebackers coach, and would hold the position until 2019. He was promoted to assistant head coach in 2020 and was named interim defensive coordinator later that season.
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Ulbrich's biggest coaching role came as defensive coordinator of the New York Jets under Robert Saleh from 2021 to 2024. After Saleh was fired following a poor start to the 2024 season, Ulbrich was named the interim head coach and got his first taste of being the top guy in charge. But after going just 3-9 in the interim spell, he was not retained by the team at the end of the year.
Ulbrich returned to the Falcons in 2025 as their defensive coordinator.
