Jeff Howard joined the Seahawks coaching staff as safeties coach on February 22, 2024, after one season coaching linebackers for the L.A. Chargers, and three seasons (2020-22) as defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns.
In 2023, Howard's inside linebackers improved their missed tackle rate from 31st in the NFL in 2022 to second overall at 9.8% (PFF). Kenneth Murray Jr. tied his career-high with 107 tackles, and added 3.0 sacks, one interception, and seven tackles for loss, while veteran Eric Kendricks posted 117 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
With the Browns, Howard's secondary ranked tied for second in the NFL with 11 total red zone takeaways, tying for the most by any AFC team, as Cleveland's defense finished fifth in the league in passing defense in both 2021 and 2022.
In 2022, Howard aided in the development of rookie CB Martin Emerson Jr., who ranked third among rookies and tied for the team lead with 15 passes defensed. Under Howard's guidance, Emerson and CB Denzel Ward each totaled 15 passes defensed, as the Browns were one of two NFL teams to have multiple players notch 15 passes defensed on the season. S Grant Delpit enjoyed his best season, recording 100+ tackles and four interceptions, while S John Johnson III ended the season with 96 tackles.
Howard helped the Browns' defense finish the 2021 season by ranking in the top five in the NFL in total defense and pass defense. He coached Ward to earn his second career Pro Bowl selection, while also developing rookie CB Greg Newsome II, who was named to the PFWA's All-Rookie Team. Following the 2021 season, Howard was selected to serve as the defensive coordinator of the West team in the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl.
In Howard's first season (2020) directing the secondary for Cleveland, the Browns made the playoffs for the first time since 2002 while finishing the year 11-5. The Browns defense led the NFL with six red-zone takeaways. Ward finished tied for second in the NFL with 18 passes defensed, despite playing in only 12 games.
Prior to his three seasons in Cleveland, Howard spent seven years (2013-19) as an assistant in Minnesota, steadily rising through the coaching ranks with the Vikings. In that time, Minnesota won two NFC North Division titles and advanced to the postseason three times. Howard started his tenure with the Vikings as assistant to the head coach in 2013, before transitioning to a defensive assistant role the following season.
Howard spent two seasons (2018-19) coaching Minnesota's defensive backs, specifically the safeties, helping the Vikings rank tied for sixth in the NFL with 51 total takeaways over the two-year stretch, including 29 interceptions. With Howard's assistance, S Anthony Harris earned first-team All-NFC recognition from the PFWA after totaling six interceptions in 2019, tying for the most in the league and becoming the first Viking to pace the league in interceptions since 2003. S Harrison Smith also received Pro Bowl honors in each of his two seasons with Howard assisting the secondary.
Working with the linebackers from 2016-17, the Vikings' defense ranked among the league's leaders, finishing third in the NFL in total defense in 2016 and first in the league in 2017. Anthony Barr was named to the Pro Bowl following each of the two seasons Howard worked with the linebackers.
Following his playing career, Howard entered the coaching ranks at the high school level, spending four years (2007-10) on the defensive coaching staff at Odessa Permian High in Odessa, Texas. After serving as assistant defensive backs/linebackers coach, Howard was promoted to Permian's defensive coordinator in 2009, a role he would hold for two seasons. Howard then transitioned to the collegiate level, joining Texas Tech's staff in 2011 as a defensive quality control coach and later being promoted to safeties coach in 2012.
An All-American linebacker at Eastern New Mexico University, Howard graduated with a degree in biology and chemistry. As a senior, he led the Greyhounds in tackles and scored two defensive touchdowns, earning an invitation to play in the Cactus Bowl, the NCAA Division-II all-star game. Howard was twice named All-Lone Star Conference South and earned Academic All-District recognition. He had his No. 3 jersey retired by Eastern New Mexico in 2006 and was inducted into the program's athletic Hall of Honors in 2011.
Howard and his wife, Laci, have four children, Natassja, Skylar, Grayson and Ryleigh.
