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Eric Mangini, 35, has spent nearly his entire career working on Bill Belichick's staff.
NEW YORK (AP) -- New England Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini has accepted an offer to become the next New York Jets coach, a person familiar with the situation said Monday night.
The person spoke condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made by the team.
Mangini, who turns 35 Thursday, becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL. He replaces Herman Edwards, who left for Kansas City after five seasons.
ESPN.com first reported Mangini had accepted the Jets' offer.
The Jets moved quickly to hire Mangini after interviewing former Vikings coach Mike Tice earlier in the day.
A Jets spokesman said the club had no announcements to make and declined further comment.
"We haven't heard anything," New England Patriots spokesman Stacey James said.
Mangini, who has spent nearly his entire career working for Patriots coach Bill Belichick, emerged as the leading candidate for the Jets last week. Though he is young, he is regarded as one of the brightest defensive minds in the game.
He also has close ties to assistant general manager Mike Tannenbaum and was an assistant with the Jets from 1997-99, working with Belichick in the secondary. Belichick has talked Mangini out of taking coordinator jobs in the past, but was unable to do the same this time.
In a strange twist, Belichick was Jets head coach for one day before changing his mind and bolting for New England in 2000. That connection didn't seem to bother New York and owner Woody Johnson, who is desperate to try and gain on the Patriots in the AFC East.
With Mangini in, defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff would probably be out. All three interviewed for the head coaching job.
The Jets also spoke to three other candidates: former Saints coach Jim Haslett, former Rams interim coach Joe Vitt and Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis.
Edwards parted ways with the Jets in a messy split. Speculation for the better part of the season linked him to the Chiefs. Though Johnson told the team in November he wanted Edwards to stay, he made few comments publicly to squelch the rampant speculation the Chiefs wanted his coach.
The idea that Edwards would ask for an extension after going 4-12 may have rubbed some in the organization the wrong way, leaving them no choice but to let Edwards go. After several days of negotiating, the Jets received a fourth-round pick as compensation for Edwards from the Chiefs.
Mangini inherits a team that has its share of questions. That is the big reason why Edwards wanted an extension, because he anticipated it might take a few years to rebuild the team.
Quarterback Chad Pennington is coming off his second major shoulder injury. Though he vowed to be ready for the start of training camp, the Jets plan to bring in a veteran to compete for the starting job. Will veteran running back Curtis Martin be back?
Edwards planned to have Martin return, but Mangini might have different thoughts. The 32-year-old back is coming off knee surgery and might not be viable as a starter anymore. The Jets also need help at offensive line and receiver.
The defense should be the strength of the team, and could be even better with Mangini at the helm. But the Jets must make a decision on whether to put the franchise tag on defensive end John Abraham or sign him to a long-term contract.
AP
