NFL Accelerator Program Could Be Major Step Toward Jeff Ulbrich's Next HC Opportunity

The Atlanta Falcons coaching staff might be one of the most interesting of the bunch heading into the 2026 season. With Kevin Stefanski added as the new head coach after being released by the Cleveland Browns, he's not the only coach on the staff with prior head-coaching experience. One of those coaches may be looking for another attempt at running an NFL team in the near future.

Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was invited into the coaches accelerator program this past week. The importance of this and his inclusion says a lot about how the league views him as a potential head coach in the future. If Atlanta's defense takes a step forward, as projected for 2026, the team may have a difficult time keeping him from other teams next offseason. 

Ulbrich, who's back for his second stint with the Atlanta Falcons after serving on the defensive staff from 2015 to 2020, will enter his second season as the defensive coordinator and first under Kevin Stefanski. In between those two stints, he had the opportunity to serve as the New York Jets' interim head coach in 2024, where he went 3-9 with a struggling franchise. With this opportunity from the NFL Accelerator Program, Ulbrich could potentially see a full interview process this upcoming offseason, with a bigger resume from an improved defense. The Falcons are most likely going to show this upcoming season. 

The Falcons, who already had an impressive defense in 2025, could take another step forward under Ulbrich in year two. Last year, they finished second in the league with 57 total sacks and were one of the top teams in the NFL against the run. The team allowed 326 total yards per game, finishing in the middle of the pack, showing there's still room for improvement, something Ulbrich will be itching to find. 

The Accelerator program is designed to develop future head coaches and executives in the National Football League and to help connect ownership with rising candidates. It offers incredible visibility and a huge opportunity for those looking to take the next step. Of course, building relationships doesn't hurt either. With Ulbricht's presence there, it confirms what many around the league already believe: that he remains as one of the most legitimate future NFL head coach candidates across the industry. 

So if Atlanta's defense isn't successful, as Matt Ryan and the Falcons' front office hope it will be in 2026, the potential of O'Brien leaving for a head coaching job elsewhere across the league is high. On Wednesday night, the Falcons' defensive coordinator spoke on NFL Network about the NFL's accelerated program and some of his defensive coaching staff members, and one name popped out as a potential candidate to replace him if he were to leave for a higher role. 

Ulbricht spoke highly of Defensive Pass Game Coordinator Patrick Tony. He said, "He's got this amazing database of information, and I'm very fortunate to have him. He's really been able to challenge schematically some stuff we're doing and also elevate the way we teach the stuff already in place."

Having rising stars in the coaching realm under proven defensive minds like Ulbricht will be huge if an opening comes along this upcoming offseason.