Pro Career: Eric Mangini was named the 14th full-time head coach of the New York Jets on Jan. 17, 2006. He rejoins the Jets following six seasons with the New England Patriots (2000-05), the first five of which he served as the defensive backs coach before earning a promotion to the defensive coordinator's position.

Mangini, a coaching veteran of 14 seasons, is entering his 12th season in the NFL and his first as a head coach. He has been a part of five division titles, three conference titles, and three Super Bowl championships in his career.

In his first five seasons with the Patriots, he tutored a secondary that earned five Pro Bowl selections and evolved into one of the NFL's most successful defensive backfields despite suffering numerous injuries.

Prior to joining the Patriots, Mangini served as an assistant on Bill Parcells' coaching staff with the Jets (1997-1999), where he worked primarily as the defensive assistant/quality control coach. During that time, he worked closely with Bill Belichick, who was the Jets' assistant head coach/secondary coach. Mangini was also responsible for advance opponent film breakdowns and analysis.

In 1999, the Jets' defense ranked third in the AFC with 24 interceptions, the team's highest total since 1969 (29). In 1998, the Jets' defense surrendered just 16.6 points per game, helping the Jets to a 12-4 overall record and their first division title, while advancing to the AFC Championship game.

In 1996, he served as a quality control/offensive assistant on Ted Marchibroda's coaching staff with the Baltimore Ravens. Mangini's first NFL coaching opportunity came in 1995 as an assistant on Belichick's Cleveland Browns staff. While completing his Wesleyan degree in Melbourne, Australia, Mangini served as the head coach and defensive coordinator for the Kew Colts, a semi-professional football team, and led them to back-to-back titles.

Background: Mangini set a school record with 36.5 sacks as a nose tackle in college for Wesleyan (Conn.) from 1989-1990, 92-93. He was voted a first-team all-star by NESCAC and ECAC New England Division III.

Personal: Born January 19, 1971, Hartford, Conn. Mangini and his wife, Julie, have two sons, Jake and Luke.