For Immediate Release: upon receipt
February 2, 2001
JETS ADD TO COACHING STAFF;
TAB WINSTON TO HEAD PLAYER PROGRAMS
The New York Jets announced today the hiring of two coaches to Herman Edwards' staff and
also named a new director of player development.
Those being named include: Phil Pettey (tight ends coach), Mike Henning (offensive quality control coach) and Kevin Winston as director of player development.
"We are excited to have them join the Jets' organization," said Edwards. "Phil has worked with Paul Hackett on different occasions and has a good grasp of how we hope to attack offensively. Mike Henning will be an asset to the coaching staff in that he is familiar with the football operations and is an ambitious young man. I know Kevin well from our time in Tampa together and think he'll be a tremendous resource for the Jets' organization and the players will feed off his energy."
Pettey, 39, joins Edwards' staff after having worked as the offensive assistant/quality control coach for the NFC West division champion New Orleans Saints in 2000. In addition to his duties which included self-scouting, advanced opponent video analysis and breakdown, Pettey also worked closely with the Saints' offensive line, which featured perennial Pro Bowl T Willie Roaf and up-and-coming young talents Kyle Turley and Chris Naeole.
With the Jets, he will re-join forces with Jets offensive coordinator Paul Hackett, with whom he worked with most recently at Southern California in 1999 and prior to that, at the University of Pittsburgh in 1991 when Hackett was head coach for both programs. Pettey will work with 2000 first round drfat choice Anthony Becht and fellow youngster Jake Moreland.
A former academic and football stand-out guard at Missouri, the native of Kenosha, WI began his coaching career with Louisiana State in 1990, where he helped in the development of Jets Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae.Staying aboard to assist in the everyday operations of the coaching staff will be Mike Henning, 28, the son of former Jets offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dan Henning, who stepped aside following the Jets' 2000 season. The younger Henning worked as a coaching assistant in 2000 and will now assume duties helping Paul Hackett and the rest of the offensive assistants.
Taking over the responsibilities of director player development is Kevin Winston, a four-year veteran of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who held a similar job prior to joining the Jets. In his new capacity with the Jets, the 35-year old Indiana University graduate will work closely with the players in their continuing education programs, as well as helping them with internships and jobs that help ease them into post-playing careers. He will also be the Jets' main liaison with the NFL's many off-the-field development programs, such as the highly successful rookie symposium and continuing education program.