Joe Cullen was named the Browns’ Defensive Line coach on January 22, 2013. He has 23 years of coaching experience, including the last three seasons as the defensive line coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Joe Cullen was named the Browns’ Defensive Line coach on January 22, 2013. He has 23 years of coaching experience, including the last three seasons as the defensive line coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While with the Jaguars, Cullen helped develop defensive tackle Tyson Alualu who was the 10th overall pick in 2010. Since being drafted, Alualu has started all 48 career games and led the club in sacks in 2012. In 2011, defensive end Jeremy Mincey recorded career-best totals with 101 tackles and a team-leading eight sacks and four forced fumbles. In 2011, the Jaguars ranked sixth in the NFL in yards allowed improving from 28th the year before. The team also finished fifth in the league in yards per carry improving from 28th the previous season.
Prior to the Jaguars, Cullen served as defensive line coach at Idaho State in 2009, after spending three seasons (2006-08) with the Detroit Lions as defensive line coach. In 2008, the Lions finished 10th in the NFL in sacks per pass attempt and finished in the top 10 in sacks in 2007 and 2008. He helped develop Cliff Avril who led all rookies in sacks (6) and forced fumbles (4) in 2008. Under Cullen, a number of players recorded career best sack totals including Shaun Rogers (7 in 2007), Jared DeVries (6.5 in 2007), Dewayne White (6.5 in 2007 and 2008) and Cory Redding (8 in 2006).
Before his stint at Idaho State, Cullen spent time at Illinois (2005), Indiana (2002-04), Memphis (2001) and Louisiana State (1999). During his final season at Indiana, he helped the Hoosiers defeat two ranked teams in the same season for the first time since 1989. Cullen spent eight seasons (1992-98, 2000) at Richmond, including three as defensive coordinator. The Spiders led the Atlantic 10 in total defense in all three seasons Cullen served as defensive coordinator. In 2000, the unit ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense and 14th in scoring defense despite playing the nation’s toughest schedule. That season he also helped the Spiders to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the NCAA I-AA quarterfinals. In 1998, the club finished 9-2 and won the Atlantic 10 title and advanced to the NCAA I-AA playoffs.
Cullen played nose guard at the University of Massachusetts from 1986-89, where he was a three time all-conference honoree. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, first overseeing the running backs in 1990 and then the defensive line in 1991. Cullen earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management.
Joe Cullen’s Coaching Background:
1990 University of Massachusetts, running backs
1991 University of Massachusetts, defensive line
1992-96 University of Richmond, defensive line
1997-98 University of Richmond, defensive coordinator
1999 Louisiana State University, defensive line
2000 University of Richmond, defensive coordinator
2001 University of Memphis, defensive line
2002-03 Indiana University, defensive line
2004 Indiana University, defensive coordinator
2005 University of Illinois, defensive assistant
2006-08 Detroit Lions, defensive line
2009 Idaho State University, defensive line
2010-12 Jacksonville Jaguars, defensive line
2013- Cleveland Browns, defensive line
