The New York Jets have announced that they have hired Kevin O’Dea to serve as the team’s special teams coach.

He replaces Mike Westhoff, who resigned after the 2007 season for health reasons.  Westhoff had worked in that role since 2001.

O’Dea spent two years with the Bears as assistant special teams coach.  Before that, he was the special teams coach in Arizona.  He also has worked for the Chargers, Bucs, and Lions.