JOE CULLEN enters his fifth year as the Ravens' defensive line coach. A defensive line specialist, Cullen has 31 years of coaching experience, including 13 in the NFL with five teams (Bal., TB, Cle., Jax. and Det.). In 2019, the Ravens upheld Baltimore's strong defensive tradition, allowing the NFL's third-fewest points (17.6) and fourth-fewest net yards (300.6) per game. Led by strong play from the defensive front, the team also ranked No. 5 against the run (93.4 ypg) and No. 6 vs. the pass (207.2 ypg). In 2018, the Ravens produced the NFL's No. 1 defense, allowing 292.9 yards per game. Baltimore also permitted the league's second-fewest points per game (17.9), ranked third in third-down defense (34.1) and was fourth in rushing yards allowed (82.9 ypg). Standout DT Brandon Williams earned his first Pro Bowl, while DT Michael Pierce received high grades from various analytic outlets. In 2017, Cullen guided a D-line that contributed to Baltimore allowing just 18.9 points per game (NFL's sixth-best mark) and tied for 11th with 41 sacks. In 2016, Cullen guided a D-line that contributed to Baltimore allowing just 89.4 rushing yards per game (NFL's fifth-best mark). Led by Williams, the Ravens extended their NFL record to 21-consecutive seasons of not permitting over 4.0 yards per carry (3.7 in 2016). Williams, named a second alternate to the Pro Bowl in 2016, ranked third among all NFL nose tackles by posting 51 total tackles, while DT Timmy Jernigan tallied 5 sacks (second on the team and tied for third among AFC DTs).
2016-19: (with Baltimore) In Cullen's first four seasons (2016-19) with Baltimore overall, the Ravens ranked first in total defense (310.2 ypg), second each in points allowed per game (18.6) and run defense (94.2 ypg), third in takeaways (104) and fifth in yards per carry allowed (3.99)...The D-line also helped allow the league's seventh-fewest rushing TDs (45). 2019: Ravens allowed the NFL's third-fewest points (17.6) and fourth-fewest net yards (300.6) per game. 2018: With standout efforts from DT Michael Pierce and DT Brandon Williams (who earned his first Pro Bowl), the Ravens boasted the NFL's No. 1 defense (292.9 ypg) and permitted the league's second-fewest points per game (17.9)...Baltimore ranked third in third-down defense (34.1) and fourth in rushing yards allowed (82.9 ypg), en route to winning the AFC North title...Baltimore also had three players post at least 7 sacks (OLB Za'Darius Smith - 8.5, OLB Matthew Judon - 7 and OLB Terrell Suggs - 7)...Baltimore's 104 QB hits ranked sixth in the league. 2017: The Ravens finished with the NFL's 12th-ranked defense (325.1 ypg) and were sixth in points allowed (18.9 ppg)...Over the final 10 weeks of the season, Baltimore produced the league's third-best run defense (84.8 ypg) and allowed the fifth-fewest runs of 10+ yards (18). 2016: The Ravens' defense ranked seventh overall (322.1 ypg) and fifth vs. the run (89.4 ypg)...NT Brandon Williams' 51 total tackles ranked third among all NFL nose tackles, while his 34 solo stops were second...DT Timmy Jernigan posted 5 sacks (second on the team), tying (Jurrell Casey, Ndamukong Suh & Kyle Williams) for the AFC's third most...Jernigan's 9 TFL also ranked sixth among AFC DTs.
2014-15: (with Tampa Bay) Over two seasons with Cullen guiding the Bucs' D-line, Tampa Bay ranked No. 7 in the NFL in combined TFL (173) and sacks (74). 2015: The Bucs' defense ranked 10th overall in total yards allowed per game (340.4) and second in yards per rush, permitting a staunch 3.4-yard per carry average...Bucs were also 10th in the NFL in sacks per pass play...Their D-line accounted for 27.5 of the team's 38 sacks, including a team-leading 8.5 by DT Gerald McCoy, who earned his fourth-straight Pro Bowl...The 8.5 ranked fourth among NFL DTs. 2014: Joined the Bucs as defensive line coach and guided a group that tallied 33 sacks, tying for fourth among NFL D-lines...Pass rush was led by McCoy, whose 8.5 sacks tied for the third most by an NFL DT...The Bucs' run "D" held opponents to 3.9 yards per carry, the NFL's seventh-lowest mark.
2013: (with Cleveland) Browns had one of the best defensive turnarounds in team history...After finishing 23rd in the league in 2012, Cleveland ranked ninth in total defense (332.4 ypg) in 2013, marking the team's best finish since 1994...The D-line helped limit opponents to an average of 3.9 yards per rush (eighth in the NFL) and marked the team's lowest average in 18 years...Cleveland also posted 40 sacks, its most since 2001.
2010-12: (with Jacksonville) Cullen spent three seasons as the Jaguars' defensive line coach, helping develop defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, the 10th-overall pick in 2010...Under Cullen, Alualu started all 48 games and led the club in sacks (3.5) in 2012. 2011: DE Jeremy Mincey recorded career-best totals with 57 tackles and a team-leading 8 sacks and 4 FFs...Jaguars ranked No. 6 in the NFL in yards allowed (313.0 ypg), improving from 28th in 2010...Also finished fifth in the league in yards per carry (3.8), improving from 30th the previous season.
2009: (with Idaho State) Served as defensive line coach.
2006-08: (with Detroit) Spent three seasons as the Lions' defensive line coach...Under Cullen, a number of players recorded career-best sack totals, including Shaun Rogers (7 in 2007), Jared DeVries (6.5 in 2007), Dewayne White (6.5 in 2007 & 2008) and Cory Redding (8 in 2006). 2008: Lions finished 10th in the NFL in sacks per pass attempt...Also helped develop Cliff Avril, who led all rookies in sacks (5) and FFs (4). 2007: Detroit tied for ninth in sacks with 37.
2005: (with Illinois) Spent one season as a defensive assistant with the Illini.
2002-04: (with Indiana) 2004: In his final season at Indiana, as its defensive coordinator, Cullen helped the Hoosiers defeat two ranked teams in the same season for the first time since 1989. 2002: Joined the Hoosiers as defensive line coach.
2001: (with Memphis) Coached the Tigers' defensive line.
1999: (with Louisiana State) Was LSU's defensive line coach.
1992-98, 2000: (with Richmond) Spent eight seasons at Richmond, including three as defensive coordinator (1997-98, 2000)...The Spiders led the Atlantic 10 in total defense in all three seasons he served as coordinator. 2000: Defense ranked fourth nationally vs. the run and 14th in scoring, despite playing the country's toughest schedule...Recorded a 10-3 record and an appearance in the I-AA quarterfinals. 1998: Richmond was 9-2 and won the Atlantic 10 title, advancing to the I-AA playoffs.
1990-91: (with Massachusetts) Began his coaching career at his alma mater, first overseeing the running backs in 1990 and then the defensive line in 1991.
College: Played nose guard at UMass from 1986-89, where he was a team captain and a three-time All-Conference honoree...Earned his bachelor's degree in sports management.
Personal: Joe and his wife, Andrea, were married in June 2013 and have three daughters: Julia (5), Justina (3) and Jenna (1).
