Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 03:46 PM

Jets hire Locklin as defensive line coach, retain assistant Devlin

NEW YORK -- The New York Jets hired Kerry Locklin as defensive line coach Thursday, and retained Mike Devlin as assistant offensive line/tight ends coach.

Locklin, the latest addition to new coach Rex Ryan's staff, was the defensive line coach at Fresno State the past nine seasons. A former All-WAC tight end at New Mexico State, Locklin played three years in the NFL with the Rams and Broncos and two years in the USFL.

Devlin will return for his fourth season with the Jets, and the second assisting offensive line coach Bill Callahan. New York's offensive line, led by Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca and center Nick Mangold, helped Thomas Jones rush for an AFC-leading 1,312 yards last season.