<
        >

          New York Jets

          Could Mike Westhoff pull a Brett Favre?

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterJan 15, 2014, 04:15 PM ET
            Close
              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
            Follow on X

          Now that special teams coach Ben Kotwica is off to the Washington Redskins, people want to know: Could Mike Westhoff come out of retirement to replace the man who replaced him?

          Westhoff, reached by phone shortly after Kotwica-to-the-Redskins became official, said he hadn't been contacted by the Jets.

          "I'd certainly listen to them," he said, "but I'm happy with what I'm doing."

          Westhoff, 66, the Jets' special teams coach from 2001 to 2012, is working in the media world as an analyst for ESPN New York 98.7 and SNY television. If you haven't seen or heard him, you should make it point to do so, because he's very good. He told me he has spurned feelers from other teams, adding that he's enjoying his current gig too much to actively pursue a coaching opportunity.

          "I'm no youngster, but I know I could [return to coaching]. I didn't like the way it ended up," said Westhoff, alluding to the Jets' special-teams struggles in 2012. "But I'm very happy with what I'm doing, my decision to retire. I'm not looking to get back into coaching, but I'll always look at everything. I'll never say 'never.'"

          Westhoff is one of the most competitive people I've ever met, and I could see him back on the sideline. But I just don't think it will be the Jets' sideline. Yes, he's a brilliant coach, one of the best in his field, but my hunch is they will look for a younger coach with a fresh approach.