The Atlanta Falcons organization announced the tragic passing of Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, following her battle with cancer. She died on Thursday, according to a team statement released Friday morning.
Cristina Ulbrich, a devoted mother of three, had been fighting the disease privately. The Falcons expressed their deepest condolences, asking for privacy for the Ulbrich family during this difficult time.
Jeff Ulbrich, 47, played 10 seasons as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers from 2000 to 2009. He transitioned into coaching shortly after retirement, landing his first NFL role as a special teams assistant with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
He later joined the Falcons in 2015 under then-head coach Dan Quinn, serving as linebackers coach and later assistant head coach. Ulbrich spent five seasons in Atlanta before moving to the New York Jets in 2021 as defensive coordinator.
When Robert Saleh was fired during the 2024 season, Ulbrich took over as interim head coach for the final 12 games. He led the Jets to a 3–9 record before the team hired Aaron Glenn for the permanent role.
Ulbrich returned to Atlanta in 2025, now entering his second season as defensive coordinator under head coach Raheem Morris. His defensive unit showed improvement last year, ranking 12th in total yards allowed.
Cristina Ulbrich was remembered by those close to her as a pillar of strength and grace. The couple married in 2010 and had three children: daughters AnaLucia and Luna, and a son named Jude. Friends and former teammates have shared messages of support on social media.
The Falcons are expected to make a formal tribute during their upcoming home game. Jeff Ulbrich will take a leave of absence from team activities, though no timeline has been set for his return.