The hiring of a strength and conditioning coach usually warrants a line of agate type -- unless, of course, the person is replacing a coach who resigned under pressure because of an embarrassing tripping incident.
So it goes with the New York Jets, who announced Monday that Bill Hughan is the new strength and conditioning coach. He replaces the infamous Sal Alosi, who submitted his resignation two weeks ago -- two months after he tripped Miami Dolphin Nolan Carroll during a game Dec. 12 at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
Ultimately, Alosi was placed on indefinite suspension after the organization determined that he organized a sideline "wall" among inactive players, acting as a deterrent to the Dolphins' gunner on punt coverage. The Jets wound up being fined $100,000 by the league for the trip, the practice of the illegal wall and comments by special teams coach Mike Westhoff.
Hughan joins the Jets after three seasons as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Atlanta Falcons. Coincidentally, the Jets hired Alosi from the Falcons after he had worked previously with the Jets.
Hughan also worked for the Oakland Raiders. Before the NFL, he was an assistant in the college ranks. Bryan Dermody, who served as the interim during Alosi's suspension, will return to his previous role as the assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com.