HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Kevin O'Dea joined the New York Jets as special teams coach after spending the last two seasons as Chicago's assistant special teams coach.
He replaces Mike Westhoff, who stepped down after last season to undergo surgery on his ailing left leg that will require extensive recovery time.
Before joining the Bears, O'Dea was special teams coach for the Arizona Cardinals for two seasons. He has worked with Chicago's Robbie Gould and Arizona's Neil Rackers, two of the NFL's most successful placekickers.
A wide receiver and defensive back at Lock Haven, he also has coached with the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers and in college at Penn State, Virginia, Cornell and Lock Haven.
Copyright 2008 by The Associted Press