· Joined the Browns in 2020 and helped the defense rank among the league leaders in takeaways, including leading the league in red zone takeaways. Helped CB Denzel Ward finish tied for second in the NFL with 18 passes defensed, despite only playing in 12 games.
· Helped the Browns finish the 2021 season fifth in the NFL in total defense, marking just the third time since 1970 that the team has ranked in the top-five and the club's highest finish since 1987. The club also finished fifth in the league in pass defense, its highest finish since 2011. The Browns were one of just three NFL teams (Green Bay and San Francisco) to close 2021 in the top-12 in total defense, run defense and pass defense. Ward earned his second career Pro Bowl selection and recorded the longest interception return in the NFL in 2021 (99-yards). Also oversaw the development of first-round pick CB Greg Newsome II, who was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team.
· Served as the defensive coordinator for the West team in the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl.
· Spent seven seasons in Minnesota (2013-19), rising up the coaching ladder from assistant to the head coach to assistant defensive backs coach his final two seasons.
· 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 selected in 2019, 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.
· Howard is married to his wife, Laci, and the couple have four children, Natassja, Skylar, Grayson and Ryleigh.
Jeff Howard's Coaching Background:
2007-08 Odessa Permian High School, assistant defensive backs/linebackers coach
2009-10 Odessa Permian High School, defensive coordinator
2011 Texas Tech University, defensive quality control coach
2012 Texas Tech University, defensive backs coach
2013 Minnesota Vikings, assistant to the head coach
2014-15 Minnesota Vikings, defensive assistant
2016-17 Minnesota Vikings, defensive assistant-linebackers
2018-19 Minnesota Vikings, assistant defensive backs
2020- Cleveland Browns, pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach
