Wesleyan grad Eric Mangini was named head coach of the New York Jets, replacing Herm Edwards, who moved to the Chiefs' top spot. Mangini, 35, is Wesleyan's single-season (11½) and career (36) sack leader and was the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick, a 1975 Wesleyan graduate.

The Patriots also promoted quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels, 29, to offensive coordinator, making him the youngest coordinator in the NFL. McDaniels is a former wide receiver for John Carroll and was one of the subjects of a D3football.com feature story in November 2002.

McDaniels and Belichick split most of the play-calling duties in 2005.

McDaniels joined the Patriots in 2001 as an assistant in the scouting department and was a member of the defensive coaching staff for three seasons before becoming quarterbacks coach in 2004. Fellow John Carroll alumnus Nick Caserio is the team's director of pro personnel.