Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will handle play-calling duties, though the process of building a scheme will include lots of collaboration.

The defense was heavily criticized by first-year Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris after the Falcons ended the season with back-to-back overtime losses (with a combined 74 points allowed). Morris was the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator for three seasons before taking over in Atlanta last January.

The Atlanta Falcons have hired former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator, the team announced Saturday night. The Falcons interviewed seven candidates for the job, but Ulbrich always was considered the favorite because of his relationship with Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.

The Falcons have brought Jeff Ulbrich back to Atlanta, naming their former assistant as defensive coordinator.

Jeff Ulbrich expressed some regrets about the way he handled his 12-game stint as the New York Jets interim coach as he looked ahead on Monday to his new job as defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.

As an NFL coach, Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been around the block. Over the last 10 years, Ulbrich has been a position coach, assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and interim head coach.

The Falcons' defensive struggles resulted in another non-playoff season, which is somehing Ulbrich hopes to correct.