Jeff Howard

Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs

College: ENMU

Biography

Year with Browns: 2nd

Year as NFL coach: 9th

Key Notes

Most recently spent seven seasons in Minnesota (2013-19), rising up the coaching ladder from assistant to the head coach to assistant defensive backs coach from 2018-19.
While working with the defensive backs, specifically the safeties, Minnesota ranked tied for sixth in the NFL in total takeaways, including 29 interceptions during that span.
Under his guidance, S Anthony Harris tied for the league lead with six interceptions in 2019, becoming the first Viking to lead the league in interceptions since 2003.

Year with Browns: 1st

Year as NFL coach: 8th

Key Notes

Most recently spent seven seasons in Minnesota (2013-19), rising up the coaching ladder from assistant to the head coach to assistant defensive backs coach from 2018-19.
While working with the defensive backs, specifically the safeties, Minnesota ranked tied for sixth in the NFL in total takeaways, including 29 interceptions during that span.
Under his guidance, S Anthony Harris tied for the league lead with six interceptions in 2019, becoming the first Viking to lead the league in interceptions since 2003.
Harris was also named first team All-NFC by the PFWA, and finished the season as the second-highest rated safety in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, boasting an 90.5 overall grade.
S Harrison Smith was one of the league's most versatile safeties while Howard oversaw the position group, garnering Pro Bowl nods both years he was coached by him, as well as first team All-NFC honors from the PFWA.
Smith was also voted second team All-Pro by the Associated Press in 2018 and Pro Football Focus in 2019.
Worked with a number of other Pro Bowl players, including CB Xavier Rhodes, who was also elected last year, and while working with the linebackers (2016-17), Anthony Barr was selected both seasons.
During his tenure in Minnesota, the Vikings defense ranked third in the NFL in sacks (301). The Vikings also finished in the top five in total defense in 2016 (third), 2017 (first) and 2018 (fourth).
Spent seven seasons (2013-19) on the same coaching staff with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota.
While in Minnesota, the Vikings won two NFC North Division titles and advanced to the postseason three times, including 2019.
Also gained experience coaching on the high school (Odessa Permian) and college (Texas Tech) levels.
An All-American linebacker at Eastern New Mexico, graduated cum laude with a degree in biology and chemistry. His jersey was retired by Eastern New Mexico in 2006 and he was inducted in the ENMU Hall of Honor in 2011.