Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, died on Sunday after a battle with cancer, the team announced.
"The Atlanta Falcons are heartbroken by the passing of Cristina Ulbrich, beloved wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, after her courageous battle with cancer," the Falcons said in a statement. "Cristina was a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose strength, grace and resilience touched all who knew her. She was a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family and the broader Falcons community."
The organization extended its deepest condolences to Jeff Ulbrich, their children, and all who loved Cristina, asking for privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Jeff and Cristina Ulbrich shared three children: Samantha, Jax, and Jace. The couple met in 1997 during Ulbrich's recruiting visit to Hawaii, according to The Athletic.
Ulbrich had not been present at recent Falcons training camp practices.
Ulbrich joined the Falcons as a linebackers coach in 2015, returning to the team where he was part of the coaching staff during the Super Bowl LI loss to the New England Patriots. He was promoted to assistant head coach and linebackers coach in 2020 and named defensive coordinator under interim head coach Raheem Morris later that year. He then served as defensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2021 and was interim head coach for the team in 2024.
He returned to the Falcons as defensive coordinator for the most recent season under head coach Raheem Morris, who was later fired. The Falcons retained Ulbrich in his role when hiring Kevin Stefanski as their next head coach for the 2026 season.
Prior to his coaching career, Ulbrich played 10 seasons in the NFL as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers from 2000 to 2009. He began his coaching career with the Seattle Seahawks and also spent time with the UCLA Bruins.