Who is Joe Cullen?
Many people don’t know this name. Some people will recognize the name “Joe Cullen” but not be sure who he is. Some will remember that he recently interviewed for the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator position.
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One concern is that with so many openings this offseason, the best candidates are taking the top jobs, leaving the GMs with someone who has never been a defensive coordinator before.
Cullen is not currently the defensive coordinator. But he’s been the defensive coordinator, and more than once. Cullen, currently the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs (2022-2025), was a former collegiate nose guard at the University of Massachusetts, graduating in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management.
Cullen gained early coaching experience in college football, serving as defensive line coach at UMass, Richmond, LSU, Memphis, Indiana and Idaho State. He has experience as a defensive coordinator at Richmond and Indiana University. He also has extensive NFL experience, having coached the defensive line for the Lions, Jaguars, Browns, Buccaneers, Ravens and Chiefs. He also has one year of experience as an NFL defensive coordinator, having led the Jaguars’ defense in 2021. Unfortunately for Cullen, Urban Meyer’s only NFL season was a failure and he never really got the chance.
There is no denying that Cullen suffered some real adversity that was of his own making and became an alcoholic. As a result, he passed out on the subway in 2005 and was subsequently fired by Ole Miss shortly after being hired. The following year, while with the Detroit Lions, Cullen was arrested for DUI. In the second incident, he was arrested for indecent exposure while driving. He was subsequently fined and suspended by the NFL.
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This time he began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Karen has reportedly recovered and has managed to stay sober since 2006. Cullen is a candidate for the 2024 defensive coordinator position with the Seahawks, Commanders and Michigan. He is known for his often high energy in training.
Overcoming life’s difficulties, picking yourself up and continuing to work like before, don’t be surprised if Cullen doesn’t get a chance to be an NFL defensive coordinator again this offseason.
When reports surfaced that Cullen was interviewing with the Commander, Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones made it clear he didn’t want his coach to leave.
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This article originally appeared on Commander’s Wire: Commander Washington: A D.C. candidate is largely unknown
