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What we know: After years of unsteady quarterback play from multiple different signal callers, David Lee, the Jets' newest Quarterback Coach, has a lot of work to do to solidify this important position.
After years of working as a Quarterbacks Coach/Offensive Coordinator in college, David Lee is entering his 9th season as an NFL coach--and his first with the New York Jets.
The quarterback position has been a revolving door for the Jets ever since Joe Namath. In just the past 10 years, New York has had 8 different quarterbacks start games for them--Vinny Testaverde, Chad Pennington, Quincy Carter, Brooks Bollinger, Kellen Clemens, Brett Favre, Mark Sanchez and Greg McElroy--and that number is likely to increase soon assuming Geno Smith gets the nod at some point this season.
David Lee's college and NFL coaching career...
Year(s) | Employer | Role |
1975-1976 | Tennessee-Martin | Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends Coach |
1997 | Vanderbilt | Quarterbacks Coach |
1978-1982 | Ole Miss | Quarterbacks Coach |
1983 | New Mexico | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach |
1984-1988 | Arkansas | Quarterbacks/Fullbacks Coach |
1989-1993 | UTEP | Head Coach |
1994-2000 | Rice | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach |
2001-2002 | Arkansas | Quarterbacks Coach |
2003-2006 | Dallas Cowboys | Offensive Quality Control/Quarterbacks Coach |
2007 | Arkansas | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach |
2008-2010 | Miami Dolphins | Quarterbacks Coach |
2011 | Ole Miss | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach |
2012 | Buffalo Bills | Quarterbacks Coach |
2013 | New York Jets | Quarterbacks Coach |
Starting with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003, David Lee was able to help transform undrafted free agent quarterback Tony Romo into a viable starting NFL quarterback. In his four years in Dallas, Lee coached 3 different quarterbacks who threw for over 3,000 yards and was a large part of Tony Romo's 2006 selection to the NFL Pro Bowl.
In 2008 with the Miami Dolphins, Jets fans remember all too well that he was behind former NYJ quarterback Chad Pennington being named NFL Comeback Player of the Year en route to an AFC East Division Championship.
With a once thought-to-be franchise quarterback in Mark Sanchez, potential franchise QB in Geno Smith and two underdogs in Greg McElroy and Matt Simms, David Lee will have his work cut out for him in trying to get the best out of these quarterbacks. His job was supposed to be a bit easier with veteran quarterback David Garrard on the roster but due to unhealthy knees, Garrard was forced to retire leaving no stand-out on this roster.
Whoever the starter will be in 2013, it will be due to the coaching of David Lee--and Marty Mornhinweg to an extent. The big question is can Lee turnaround a position that's been a black hole for the New York Jets these last 40 years? We'll soon get our answer.