 Zgonina with theWashington Commanders in 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
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| Born: | (1970-05-24)May 24, 1970 (age 54) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 305 lb (138 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Carmel (Mundelein, Illinois) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Purdue (1989–1992) | ||||||||||||
| Position: | Defensive line coach | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1993: 7th round, 185th pick | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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As a coach: | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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Jeffrey Marc Zgonina (/skəˈninə/skə-NEE-nə; born May 24, 1970) is anAmerican football coach and former player who currently serves as the defensive line coach for theDallas Cowboys. He played as adefensive tackle in theNational Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He playedcollege football for thePurdue Boilermakers and was selected by thePittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the1993 NFL draft.
Zgonina was a member of theSt. Louis Rams that wonSuper Bowl XXXIV and also played for theCarolina Panthers,Atlanta Falcons,Indianapolis Colts,Miami Dolphins, andHouston Texans. As a coach, he has been a member of theHouston Texans,New York Giants,San Francisco 49ers, andWashington Commanders.
Zgonina attendedCarmel High School inMundelein and was aletterman infootball,basketball,hockey, andtrack and field. In football, he won All-East Suburban Catholic Conference honors, All-Area honors, All-County honors, and All-State honors.
Zgonina attendedPurdue University from 1989 to 1992, starting his entire career. He twice led the Boilermakers in sacks and tackles for loss, he led the team in total tackles one season. He had a fumble return of 67 yards, a record for Purdue defensive linemen. He currently holds Purdue records for 'tackles for loss' for a single game (7.0), a season (28.0) and a career (72.0). He is currently #6 in total tackles (382) and solo tackles (266); and #3 in sacks (29.0). His senior season was outstanding as he had 28 tackles for loss and 13 sacks; was selected as a 1st Team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Following his senior year, he participated in the 1993East-West Shrine Game,Hula Bowl, andJapan Bowl.
Zgonina played 17 seasons in the NFL and spent more time with theSt. Louis Rams than with any other team, which included aSuper Bowl title in the1999 season (XXXIV). His best season, however, came with theMiami Dolphins in2004, when he recorded 63 tackles and five sacks.[2]
He was drafted by thePittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the1993 NFL draft.[3] He spent two seasons with the Steelers, recording 27 tackles in 21 game appearances before being waived after the1994 season. He was claimed off waivers by theCarolina Panthers on August 29, 1995,[4] and he recorded two tackles in two game appearance for the Panthers in1995. He signed with theAtlanta Falcons in1996,[5] and made one sack, one fumble recovery, and 12 tackles in the eight games he played. Zgonina signed a two-year contract with theSt. Louis Rams on March 12, 1997.[6] He played in 15 games in 1997, producing two sacks and 21 tackles. He was released by the Rams on August 21, 1998.[7] Zgonina was signed by theOakland Raiders on October 14, 1998,[8] but was released six days later.[9] before playing in a game for the Raiders. He signed with theIndianapolis Colts later in the season and played in two games.
Zgonina re-signed with the Rams on March 27, 1999.[10] He spent four seasons with the Rams, becoming their starting defensive tackle during the2000 season. He earned a Super Bowl ring in 2000 after St. Louis beat theTennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. He was also a member of the 2001 NFC Champion Rams, starting 13 games and playing inSuper Bowl XXXVI. He recorded 144 tackles, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries in his second tenure with the Rams.
Zgonina signed a four-year contract with theMiami Dolphins on April 1, 2003.[11] In his four-year career with the Dolphins, he made 178 tackles, 10 sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries in 62 games (22starts). He signed with theHouston Texans on March 14, 2007,[12] He had 64 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries in his three-year tenure, including playing in all 48 games with five starts.
In 2013, theHouston Texans hired Zgonina to become an assistant defensive line coach. As an assistant coach for the Texans, he worked closely with defensive line coach/assistant head coachBill Kollar who was his coach atPurdue University in 1989.[2]
In 2016, he became the assistant defensive line coach of theNew York Giants.
Zgonina was the defensive line coach of theSan Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2019.[13][14]
In 2020, he was hired as the assistant defensive line coach for theWashington Football Team and was promoted to lead defensive line coach following the firing ofSam Mills III in 2022.[15][16] He was not retained by the Commanders following the firing of head coachRon Rivera.
In February 2024, theDallas Cowboys hired Zgonina as their defensive line coach under defensive coordinatorMike Zimmer.[17] He was not retained by the Cowboys after the conclusion of the 24-25 season.
Zgonina is of Polish descent.[18] He has participated indog shows since 2014.[19] He is the uncle of Chicago Bears tight endCole Kmet.[20] Zgonina has two children, Carter and Bailey Zgonina.