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Jeff FitzGerald entered his 2nd year as the linebackers coach in 2006...The 24-year coaching veteran brings his expertise and high energy to the Ravens' elite LB position, overseeing the entire group, including Pro Bowlers Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas...In addition to Suggs and Thomas' stellar 2005 performances, LBs Bart Scott and Tommy Polley demonstrated exemplary pursuit and savvy on the inside last season.
OVERVIEW: Named linebackers coach in 2005...Reunited in 2004 with Ravens former defensive coordinator Mike Nolan (now with the 49ers), whom he coached with at the Washington Redskins, and former player personnel director Phil Savage (now GM with the Browns), who was a graduate assistant with FitzGerald at Alabama in the late 1980s...Spent the previous 4 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals...Served as LB coach...Has 13 years of NFL coaching experience and vast skills in computer and video operations.
2004-2005: (with Baltimore) 2005: Seven-time Pro Bowler Ray Lewis (thigh surgery) missed 10 games after starting the 1st 6...Lewis was on pace for a 205-tackle season prior to his injury after posting 77 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 3 PD and 1 FR...Scott started the 1st 10 games of his career, finishing 2nd on the team with 119 tackles and 4 sacks...Polley led the Ravens with a career-high 134 tackles in his 1st season with the team...Despite being double-and sometimes triple-teamed, "Sizzle" (LB Terrell Suggs) posted a career-high 86 tackles, finished 2nd on the team with 8 sacks and tied a career-high with 6 FFs..."A.D." (Adalius Thomas) set a new career high with 9 sacks and set a franchise record with 3 defensive returns for TDs...Adalius was voted team MVP by Baltimore media...Peter Boulware remained the Ravens' sack king, reaching 70 for his career and hitting the 500-tackle milestone...Roderick Green played in 16 games, subbing on defense (posting 2 sacks), but finishing 2nd in special teams tackles (17). 2004: Named OLB coach and tutored Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas...Suggs was named to his 1st-career Pro Bowl after leading the team with 10.5 sacks (tied for 3rd in AFC and 11th in NFL)...Suggs added 72 tackles....Thomas also thrived under FitzGerald, posting a career-high 80 tackles, and finishing 2nd on the team with a career-high 8 sacks...Thomas also had 5 PD and led the team with 4 FFs.
2000-2003: (with Arizona) 2001-03: Served as LB coach. 2000: Joined Cardinals as quality control coach and was responsible for computer and video operations.
1998-1999: (with Washington) 1999: Served as LB coach and defensive assistant under then-Redskin defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. 1998: Defensive and special teams assistant...Managed the team's defensive game analysis services and served as a special teams assistant.
1994-1997: (with San Diego State) Served as LB coach...Oversaw the computer and video operations for the team.
1990-1993: (with Tampa Bay) Began NFL career with the Buccaneers...Spent 4 years working with the DBs, special teams and administrating defensive computer operations, plus evaluation of video.
1986-89: (with Alabama) Spent 4 seasons with the Crimson Tide, where he met graduate assistant Phil Savage...Served as ILB coach while completing his master's degree.
1985: (with U. of Cincinnati) Was a graduate assistant (DL) at the University of Cincinnati...Developed the Cincinnati Offseason Strength and Conditioning Program Guide Book.
1981-84: (with Burroughs/Burbank HS) Coached high school football in his hometown of Burbank, CA, while completing his bachelor's degree at Cal State-Northridge.
PERSONAL: Graduate of Cal State-Northridge with a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree in physical education from the University of Alabama...Originally attended Oregon State, where he played LB for the Beavers...Transferred after suffering a knee injury ...Volunteered at weightlifting events at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles...Has helped develop and coach the LB drills at the Indianapolis Combine for draft-eligible college players for the last 8 years...An auto racing and travel enthusiast, FitzGerald is a professionally-trained race car driver who studied at the world-renowned Bondurant driving school in Phoenix, AZ...He spends his spare time training new drivers with the Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE)..."Fitz" has traveled around the world to many exotic places, including Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and extensively throughout Europe...His favorite trip was to Bali, Indonesia because it offered him a completely different perspective of life...Jeff is single and resides in Pikesville, MD.
COACHING BACKGROUND: 1981-82 (John Burroughs HS); 1983-84 (Burbank HS); 1985 (University of Cincinnati); 1986-89 (Alabama); 1990-93 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers); 1994-97 (San Diego State); 1998-99 (Washington Redskins); 2000-03 (Arizona Cardinals); 2004-06 (Baltimore Ravens) | 