Logo: Wesleyan Athletics

Eric Mangini
Former Head Coach of the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns
Wesleyan University, Class of 1994  

Eric Mangini '94 vs. Colby The Mangenius, attempting to reinvent his career Eric Mangini '94, back during his Wesleyan years
     Eric Mangini was named head coach of the Cleveland Browns in January 2009, just nine days after he was dismissed by the New York Jets, who had hired him as their head coach in January 2006.  As the mentor of the Jets for three seasons, Eric posted a 23-25 regular-season record with one playoff appearance.  He spent 17 years in the NFL, including his two years directing the Browns.  He had been the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in 2005 after serving as their defensive backfield coach from 2000-2004.  As a member of the Patriots staff, he earned three Super Bowl Rings.  Eric had moved to the Patriots in 2000 with head coach Bill Belichick '75 after spending the previous three seasons with the Jets. There, Eric was a defensive assistant under Belichick and Bill Parcells. Eric is currently an NFL analyst for ESPN.
     Eric began his coaching career while still in college. During the two springs preceding his junior and senior seasons at Wesleyan, Eric coached football in Australia with the Kew Colts, taking them to two regional championships. Upon graduation, he landed a spot with the Cleveland Browns as a public relations intern, moving into a coaching position with the Browns the following year. He moved with the Browns to Baltimore as a coaching assistant with the Ravens in 1996 and then to the Jets in 1997.
     At Wesleyan, Eric was an outstanding nose guard, being named to the ECAC New England Division III all-star team as a junior and senior and chosen to the all-NESCAC team for the Cardinals in 1993. His 36 career sacks still stand as the Wesleyan record as does the 11.5 sacks he recorded during the 1992 campaign. A government major while at Wesleyan, Eric was named to the CoSIDA District I Academic All-America team in 1992.