HEADLINE NEWS - News

Monday - 2/11/2002

Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick announced today the following changes and additions to his 2002 coaching staff:
View Billicks press confence.

* Mike Nolan, the Ravens receivers coach in 2001, is the team's new defensive coordinator;

* Gary Zauner, the special teams coach for the Vikings for the past eight seasons, is Baltimore's new special teams coordinator;

* Donnie Henderson, who has helped coach the Ravens' secondary for the past three seasons, will have increased responsibilities after the retirement of Steve Shafer, Baltimore's assistant head coach since 1999. Henderson is the Ravens' secondary coach;

* Mike Smith, who joined the Ravens as defensive assistant and assistant defensive line coach in 1999, is the new linebackers coach. Smith replaces Jack Del Rio (defensive coordinator Carolina Panthers);

* David Shaw, the Raiders' quarterbacks coach last season, joins the Ravens as quarterbacks/receivers coach;

* And Phil Zacharias, a Stanford University defensive line and special teams coach for the past seven years, is the Ravens new defensive assistant and defensive line assistant.

"I'm excited about these changes and additions," Billick says. "These are very good coaches and teachers. They'll bring an enthusiasm and energy that will help us stay among the elite teams in the NFL. The assistants have been hugely significant to our successes the last three seasons. I'm confident they'll continue to take our players to the highest levels."

Nolan, who has served as defensive coordinator for the Giants ('93-'96), Redskins ('97-'99) and Jets (2000), returns to defense after serving last year as the Ravens' receivers coach. "When we recruited Mike to join us a year ago, it was with the thought that Marvin (Lewis) could leave soon as an NFL head coach and that Jack (Del Rio) was a hot candidate for a promotion in the NFL, or a major college head coaching opportunity," Billick explains.

"With roster changes that will happen with our defense and now these coaching changes, there will be a lot of focus on Mike and our other defensive assistants. We're fortunate to be able to turn to a guy with Mike's abilities," Billick adds. "Plus, Mike has coached both the 3-4 and the 4-3, and we may change to the 3-4, depending on how our roster shapes up over the next eight to ten weeks."

Nolan looks forward to coaching the Ravens' defense: "When you start with a Ray Lewis and add players like Peter Boulware, Sam Adams and Chris McAlister, you have a solid base. Plus, I like the young players the Ravens have drafted the last couple of years," Nolan says.

"Getting Gary Zauner strengthens our staff. He's recognized as one of the best in the NFL," Billick says. "I've known David Shaw since I coached him at Stanford. David is one of the bright, young assistants in the NFL, and we're pleased to get him. He's a hot property in coaching circles. Phil Zacharias is another young coach who has earned attention from NFL teams, and we're pleased he'll join our staff," Billick adds.

"Mike and Donnie already have our players' respect. Donnie shared coaching responsibilities with our defensive backs the last three seasons, but I brought him here to eventually take over the full teaching load with this group. Mike helped make our defensive line among the league's best, and he'll help continue to keep our linebackers' play at a high level," Billick offers.

Below are biographies on the Ravens' new coaches and more information about Nolan's defensive coaching:

MIKE NOLAN

• Defensive Coordinator
  
• Born: March 7, 1959, Baltimore, MD
  
• 2nd Year w/Ravens
  
• 22nd Year Coaching
  
• 16th Year NFL
  
• Oregon
  

Prior to joining the Ravens, Nolan had a one-year stint as the N.Y. Jets' defensive coordinator. The Jets' defense, which employed a 3-4 scheme, finished tied for 10th in the NFL in total defense and 6th in the NFL in pass defense. Nolan spent three years as defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins (1997-99). While Nolan was with Washington, the Redskins captured the NFC East title (1999), advancing to a divisional playoff game with a Wild Card victory over Detroit. That was the Redskins' only playoff appearance in the last nine years. That season, Nolan's defense allowed an average of 14 points in its last nine games, including playoffs. In 1998, Washington's defense finished fifth overall in pass defense, and in '97, the Redskins allowed the eighth-fewest points in the NFL and finished third overall in pass defense.

Nolan spent four seasons (1993-96) as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants under then-head coach Dan Reeves. In his first season, the Giants' fifth overall defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL (205). Nolan joined the Denver Broncos (1987-88) as a special teams coach/defensive assistant and then moved to linebackers coach (1989-92). All four years as linebackers coach, Denver's defense ran a 3-4 scheme. He coached linebackers at LSU in 1986 (3-4 defense) and at Stanford in 1983, after a one-year stint as the Cardinal defensive backs coach (1982). In 1984-85, he coached defensive backs at Rice. Nolan made his coaching debut as a graduate assistant in 1981 at Oregon, where he was a four-year letterman at free safety and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. Nolan participated in the 1981 Denver Broncos' training camp as a defensive back.

Mike, the son of former NFL head coach Dick Nolan (San Francisco and New Orleans), graduated from Woodside (Calif.) H.S. He and his wife, Kathy, have four children: sons, Michael and Christopher, and daughters, Laura and
Jennifer.

Coaching Background: 1981 (Oregon); 1982-83 (Stanford); 1984-85 (Rice); 1986 (LSU); 1987-93 (Denver Broncos); 1994-96 (New York Giants); 1997-99 (Washington Redskins); 2000 (New York Jets); 2001-2002 (Baltimore Ravens).

DAVID SHAW

• Quarterbacks/Receivers
  
• Born: July 31, 1972
  
• 1st Year w/Ravens
  
• 8th Year Coaching
  
• 6th Year NFL
  
• Stanford
  

Shaw helped coach Raiders' QB Rich Gannon, who last season ranked first in the AFC and second in the NFL (behind St. Louis' Kurt Warner), with a 95.5 QB rating. Gannon completed 361 passes in 549 attempts (3,828 yards) and recorded 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Oakland was fourth in the league in passing, and seventh overall in offense. Gannon has won consecutive Pro Bowl MVP honors.

In 1997, Shaw jumped to the NFL ranks by joining the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive assistant. He worked closely with then-coordinator Jon Gruden and the other offensive coaches, studying tapes of opponents and game-planning, while assuming various on-field responsibilities.

Shaw spent the 1995-96 seasons at Western Washington and the early portion of 1997 at Idaho State. At WWU, he first tutored outside linebackers before moving over to the offensive side of the ball in '96 to oversee tight ends and punt returners. Shaw then had a one-month stint as wide receivers coach at Idaho State before joining the Eagles. He spent the summer of '96 with the Eagles as a training camp fellowship coach, working with TEs, WRs and PRs. One year prior, he worked with the Rams' linebackers as a coaching intern in St. Louis' 1995 training camp.

Born in San Diego, Shaw earned a degree in sociology at Stanford. As a Cardinal, he recorded 57 receptions and six touchdowns at the flanker position and was a four-year letter winner. A multi-talented athlete, Shaw became only the third man in Stanford history to participate in three varsity sports (football, 1990-94; track, 1993, and basketball, 1994). Brian Billick coached him in his first two seasons at Stanford. The San Diego native was a three-sport star at James Logan H.S. (Union City, CA).

Shaw is the son of Willie Shaw, currently defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, who also coached at Oakland and New Orleans, and is the nephew of two-time USC All-America football player Nate Shaw. David is married to the former Kori Bevans of Cliffwood Beach, NJ.

Coaching Background: 1995-96 (Western Washington University); 1997 (Idaho State); 1997 (Philadelphia Eagles); 1998-2001 (Oakland Raiders); 2002 (Baltimore Ravens).

PHIL ZACHARIAS

• Defensive Assistant/Defensive Line
  
• Born: February 12, 1959
  
• 1st Year w/Ravens
  
• 22nd Year Coaching
  
• Salem College
  

In 1995, Zacharias helped the Cardinals put together a first-ranked kickoff return team in the Pac-10 (second in the nation). The punt return team set a school record by blocking four punts during the season. In 1996 and '97, one
of his students, Wong, was named First-Team All-Pac-10 after finishing among the league leaders in sacks and tackles-for-loss. While a member of the Stanford University staff, Zacharias held a coaching intern position at the
first Baltimore Ravens training camp (1996). In 1999, Zacharias' special teams unit included a First-Team All-Pac-10 placekicker (P/K Mike Biselli) and a kickoff return specialist (KOR Ryan Wells) who ranked 10th in the country.

Zacharias began his coaching career at Georgetown College as the secondary coach in 1981. From 1982-84, he coached the secondary at St. Paul College in Virginia. While at St. Paul, he also served as the head baseball coach in 1983. Phil was a part-time coach at the University of North Carolina in 1985 before accepting a position at Morehead State University (Kentucky), where he remained for three seasons (1986-88). There, he coached outside linebackers and was the strength coach in '86, the outside linebackers and special teams coach in '87, and in 1988, he was promoted to defensive coordinator.

From 1989-90, Zacharias coached outside linebackers at Eastern Michigan University and then at Rutgers from 1991-93. During the summer of '94, he served as an intern with the Los Angeles Rams before becoming the defensive coordinator for Asbury Park High School in New Jersey.

Zacharias was born in Sewickley, PA, and earned his bachelor's degree in physical education/health in '81 at Salem College in West VA. A four-year letterman in football, one as a running back and three as an inside linebacker, Zacharias later earned his master's degree in education from Georgetown College (Kentucky). He played football, baseball and ran track at Quaker Valley H.S. in Leetsdale, PA.

Phil and his wife, Linda, have one son: Jameson (born 4/10/91). Full name: Philip Keith Zacharias.

Coaching Background: 1981 (Georgetown College); 1982-84 (St. Paul College); 1986-88 (Morehead State); 1989-90 (Eastern Michigan); 1991-93 (Rutgers); 1995-2001 (Stanford); 2002 (Notre Dame); 2002 (Baltimore Ravens).

GARY ZAUNER

• Special Teams Coordinator
  
• Born: November 2, 1950, Milwaukee, WI
  
• 1st Year w/Ravens
  
• 22nd Year Coaching
  
• 9th Year NFL
  
• Wisconsin-La Crosse
  

Zauner was named the Vikings' special teams coordinator prior to the 2001 season, after spending his first seven seasons as special teams coach. During his tenure in Minnesota, Zauner's special teams' players have set several NFL records, led the league in a number of categories and made the Pro Bowl.

In 2001, Anderson added to his own NFL record by kicking 15-of-18 field goals and 29-of-30 PATs, and now has 2,133 career points scored. Berger finished tied for second in the NFC with a 43.5 yard punt average. Anderson missed only one field goal in 2000, finishing the season as the NFL's leader in FG percentage (.957, 22-23). Against Buffalo on 10/22/00, he surpassed George Blanda to become the NFL's all-time leading scorer. Berger led the NFC in punting for the second consecutive season (44.7).

Berger became the first punter in the Vikings' 39-year history to make the Pro Bowl in 1999. Minnesota set a team record for kickoffs returned for a touchdown in a season with three (kickoffs by Robert Tate and Moe Williams and a punt by Randy Moss). The Vikings also led the NFL for average opponents drive start on kickoffs (23.5-yard line).

Zauner guided Anderson to the first perfect kicking season in NFL history in 1998 (35-of-35 on FGAs and 59-of-59 on PATs). Also in '98, Anderson set the NFL record for most kicking points with 164. Berger led the NFL with 40 touchbacks in '98, an NFL record since the kickoff was moved to the 30-yard line in 1993. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice and NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November. Berger set Vikings' single-game records for punting average (55.8) and net punting average (48.2) vs. Cincinnati (11/15).

In 1997, kicker Eddie Murray surpassed the then-NFL record for consecutive extra points of 234, en route to 250 at season's end. Harold Morrow set a team record with 32 special teams tackles and punt returner David Palmer led the NFC in punt return average (13.1) for the second time in his career. Zauner coached kicker Scott Sisson and punter/kickoff specialist Berger in 1996, both in their first season with the Vikings.

In 1995, K Fuad Reveiz set then-league records of consecutive FGs (31) and consecutive FGs of 45-or-less yards (39). Zauner's special teams placed a player among the top two in the NFC in punt return average (Palmer, 13.2)and kickoff return average (Qadry Ismail, 24.7) for the first time in the same season in team history.

In his first season at Minnesota in 1994, Zauner guided punter Mike Saxon, who he tutored at San Diego State, to a team season record for punts inside the 20-yard line with 28. All-Pro K Reveiz scored 132 points en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance.

For the two years prior to joining the Vikings, Zauner consulted many NFL teams and players on kicking and special teams. Some of the Pro Bowlers he has advised are John Kasay, Chris Gardocki, Cary Blanchard, Ralf Mojsiejenko, Eddie Murray and David Treadwell. He also spent time with All-Pros John Carney, Mike Horan, Jeff Jaeger, Chip Lohmiller and Nick Lowery.

Legendary special teams instructor George Allen, who revolutionized the coaching of kicking units, hired Zauner at Long Beach State in 1990. Zauner spent two seasons working with the 49ers' special teams program. From 1987-88, Zauner coached special teams at the University of New Mexico and guided current Falcons' wide receiver Terance Mathis, who in '88, tied a NCAA season record for TDs on kickoff returns with three for the Lobos. Via
Zauner's instruction at San Diego State from 1981-85, the Aztecs became one of the best special teams units in the country. Zauner's coaching experience began at Brigham Young in 1979, where in his two years, he recruited punter/placekicker Lee Johnson, a fifth-round draft choice by Houston in '85.

Zauner spent time as a punter at training camps of the Vikings in '73 and the Houston Oilers in '74. He lettered in football and baseball at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and received his bachelor's degree in health and physical education. Zauner also received his Master's in physical education from Wisconsin-La Crosse Gary graduated from Hamilton (Milwaukee, WI) H.S.

Coaching Background: 1979-80 (Brigham Young); 1981-86 (San Diego State); 1987-88 (New Mexico); 1990-91 (Long Beach State); 1994-2001 (Minnesota Vikings); 2002 (Baltimore Ravens).