From 2021 to 2024, Ulbrich served as defensive coordinator for the New York Jets, being promoted to interim head coach on October 8, 2024, following the firing of Robert Saleh.

Ulbrich attended Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, California, and lettered three times in football and twice in wrestling.

Ulbrich redshirted in his lone season at San Jose State before transferring to Gavilan College.

He earned first-team All-Conference and team MVP in lone season at Gavilan College in Gilroy, California.

Ulbrich was selected out of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (86th pick overall) of the 2000 NFL draft.

In 2005, he started only five games at inside linebacker before missing the remainder of the season with a torn biceps muscle.

Ulbrich was elevated to Assistant Head Coach in the spring of 2012, in addition to his duties with the linebackers and special teams.

[6] In the 2016 season, Ulbrich and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots.

[9] On January 21, 2021, Ulbrich was hired by the New York Jets as their defensive coordinator under head coach Robert Saleh.

[13] On January 18, 2025, Ulbrich was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their defensive coordinator under head coach Raheem Morris.