Cristina Ulbrich, Wife of Jeff Ulbrich, Passes Away

The Atlanta Falcons announced the passing of Cristina Ulbrich, wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who lost her battle with cancer. The team expressed their sorrow, highlighting Cristina’s role as a devoted wife, mother, and friend. Her strength and grace were well-known within the Falcons community.

Jeff and Cristina Ulbrich shared three children: Samantha, Jax, and Jace. The couple had met in 1997 during Jeff’s recruiting visit to Hawaii. Cristina’s passing has left a significant impact on the Falcons family and her extended community. The team has requested privacy for the Ulbrich family as they mourn.

Jeff Ulbrich, 49, was absent from the Falcons training camp earlier this week. He previously served with the New York Jets as a defensive coordinator. His career with the Falcons began in 2015 as a linebackers coach. Ulbrich’s career also includes a 10-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers as a linebacker.

In 2020, he was elevated to assistant head coach and eventually became the interim head coach of the New York Jets in 2024. Despite a challenging season, Ulbrich returned to work under head coach Raheem Morris before rejoining the Falcons as a defensive coordinator. The transition saw changes in leadership, with Kevin Stefanski taking over as head coach for the 2026 season.

Beyond coaching, Jeff Ulbrich’s NFL career began as a player for the San Francisco 49ers. Post-retirement, he joined the Seattle Seahawks for his initial coaching role. His journey included coaching roles at UCLA as a linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.