The OSC Interview: New York UFL Head Coach Ted Cottrell

by Fran Stuchbury
Published on June 10, 2009 under United Football League (UFL 1)


OSC contributor Fran Stuchbury spoke to New York United Football League head coach Ted Cottrell at the team's press conference at the Cornell Club on June 8th. Cottrell has served as a defensive coordinator for several NFL teams including the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings and most recently the San Diego Chargers.

Fran Stuchbury: What interested you in becoming the head coach for the New York franchise?

Ted Cottrell: One, this was the team I was assigned to coach and I really love the area. I grew up around the Philadelphia area. I was an assistant head coach with Rutgers University for nine years and I worked with the New York Jets for three years so I am very familiar with the area.

It was important that this team would be playing in the five boroughs. When I was coaching with Buffalo, players would say we are going to New York to play the Jets. My response was we were not going to New York, we were going to the Meadowlands. You're not going see the New York skyline, you're going to the Meadowlands. Playing in the city I think is huge.

FS: You are a master of the 3-4 defense, what are the advantages of running a 3-4 defense compared to a 4-3 defense?

TC: Well, believe is or not we will be using a 4-3 defense this season. We decided since this is the premier season, the 3-4 defense was more complicated to learn. The 4-3 defense is easier to run with rushing the passer. Having a fourth rusher will be easier to run, especially with the lack of experience of offensive lines that other teams may have. Having four down linemen is the best option this season, so we will run a 4-3 defense. Next season we could change the defense since we will have more time to work with the team.

FS: Has the team hired an offensive coordinator? I haven't seen who will run the offense on any website.

TC: Wes Chandler will be our offensive coordinator. Donnie Blackman will be the defensive coordinator. We had our first staff meeting three weeks ago, we got together and everything went well. We worked on the play book. As soon as we get our playing rules we will then know how exactly we want to play. So we can put our thoughts together on how to run the offense and defense.

FS: It was recently announced that you will be inducting Buffalo Bills DE Bruce Smith into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. How far does your relationship go back with him?

TC: His second year in the NFL. It was my first year coaching, since 1986, we go all the way back there, and we struck off a relationship. It was great where that as a coach, when one of your players becomes almost like your son and one of your best friends. That was a very unique relationship that me and him had.

FS: What coaches had the biggest impact on your career?

TC: A couple of coaches. Rod Rust, hopefully he will be working with us. I first met him when I was with the Kansas City Chiefs. I learned a lot of my coaching philosophy from him. When I was with the Buffalo Bills, Marv Levy and Walt Corey had a big impact on my career. Also believe it or not my one year with Arizona Cardinals head coach Buddy Ryan in 1994, when I was linebackers coach had a big impact on my coaching. Obviously those guys had the most impact on my coaching career.

If you have any questions or comments about this interview feel free to drop me an email at arenazone@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Football League Stories from June 10, 2009


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central