Linebacker Mike Curtis was considered one of the top linebackers in the NFL. They promoted linebackers coach Don Martindale to defensive coordinator. No black quarterbacks, no black middle linebackers, no black centers. Defensive coordinator Bob Sanders retained Hawk, Barnett, and Poppinga as the starting linebackers in 2007. His skills changed the way offensive coaches blocked linebackers. In 2003, he led all AFL middle linebackers with 4.0 sacks. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash among all of the linebackers. His son Britt is the Chiefs linebackers and outside linebackers coach. He was promoted to linebackers coach in 2011. Chris Shula, the Rams assistant linebackers coach, is also his housemate. Gilbride joined Tufts prior to the 1976 season as a linebackers coach. In January 2009, he was promoted to assistant linebackers coach. Nobis is one of college football's all-time greatest linebackers. The 2014 season saw the Badgers replace all 4 starting linebackers from 2013. Williams emerged as one of the league's top linebackers.