Biography
Greg Manusky (pronounced: man-us-ski) enters his second season as inside linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos in 2024. He was hired by the club on Feb. 25, 2023.
With 23 years of cumulative coaching experience, Manusky has spent 21 seasons in the NFL working for six clubs—Washington (2001, '16-19), San Diego (2002-06, '11), San Francisco (2007-10), Indianapolis (2012-15), Minnesota (2022) and Denver (2023). He also coached two seasons at the University of Kentucky from 2020-21.
Greg Manusky (pronounced: man-us-ski) enters his second season as inside linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos in 2024. He was hired by the club on Feb. 25, 2023.
With 23 years of cumulative coaching experience, Manusky has spent 21 seasons in the NFL working for six clubs—Washington (2001, '16-19), San Diego (2002-06, '11), San Francisco (2007-10), Indianapolis (2012-15), Minnesota (2022) and Denver (2023). He also coached two seasons at the University of Kentucky from 2020-21.
During his tenure as an NFL coach, Manusky has helped six players—including five linebackers—earn a combined 10 Associated Press All-Pro nods. Additionally, 12 different players have been named to at least one Pro Bowl under his guidance.
Last season, Manusky oversaw an inside linebacking unit that included linebacker Alex Singleton, who recorded a team-high 175 tackles—a franchise record for most takedowns in a season by a player since at least 1991 according to press box stats. Also part of the unit was linebacker Josey Jewell, who was 1-of-4 players in the NFL to record at least 100 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles during the 2023 campaign.
Previously serving as inside linebackers coach for the Vikings in 2022, Manusky coached linebackers Jordan Hicks and Eric Kendricks, both of whom started all 17 games and combined for 365 tackles (173 solo), four sacks (19 yds.), one interception (19 yds.) and 16 passes defensed. Minnesota was 1-of-4 teams (Indianapolis, San Francisco, Seattle) to have a linebacker duo with at least 125 tackles and six batted passes each.
Manusky was part of a coaching staff that helped lead Minnesota to 13 regular-season wins, which tied for the second most in a single season in franchise history. The Vikings captured their fifth NFC North Division title—and their first since 2017—and advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2019.
Prior to Minnesota, Manusky worked as a quality control assistant for Kentucky during the 2020 and '21 collegiate seasons. Under Head Coach Mark Stoops, the Wildcats won 17 total games in the two-year span, including the Gator (2020) and Citrus (2021) Bowl.
Before Kentucky, Manusky returned to Washington for a second stint and coached the team's outside linebackers (2016) before being promoted to defensive coordinator (2017-19). In his three seasons leading the defense, Manusky helped the unit produce Top-10 rankings in forced fumbles (45—T-4th), sacks (134—7th) and interceptions (44—T-8th).
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan earned his final three Pro Bowl nods (2016-18) while playing for Manusky. He became the first Washington linebacker since London Fletcher (2009-12) to be selected to consecutive Pro Bowls.
In 2018, Manusky's defense ranked tied for 10th in total turnovers. The team's 18 forced fumbles were tied with Buffalo for fourth-most in the NFL, while their 15 interceptions were tied for the ninth-best mark in the league.
Washington's 2018 defense was also one of the best at pressuring opposing quarterbacks, finishing the season with the seventh-most sacks (46) in the NFL. Kerrigan led the defense with 13 sacks, which was tied for the seventh among all NFL players.
In his first season as Washington's defensive coordinator in 2017, Manusky's unit produced the team's strongest season against the pass in nearly a decade. The unit ranked third in the NFL in completion percentage allowed (57.6) while finishing ninth in passing yards allowed per game (213.8) and 10th in opponent passer rating (81.0).
That season, the defense posted 42 sacks, the franchise's most since 2000. Kerrigan, who earned his third Pro Bowl selection, led the team with 13 sacks.
Preceding his four seasons with Washington, Manusky spent four years with Indianapolis from 2012-15 and worked as the team's defensive coordinator. He was part of a coaching staff that guided the team to an 11-5 record in three consecutive seasons (2012-14) while winning the AFC South in 2013 and '14.
Manusky coached four players to Pro Bowl selections, including three who each earned the honor twice while playing in his defense. Linebacker Robert Mathis made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back years from 2012-13 and was named Associated Press first-team All-Pro in 2013 after leading the league with 19.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles.
Prior to the Colts, Manusky returned to the Chargers and was the team's defensive coordinator for one season in 2011. Under Manusky's guidance, safety Eric Weddle collected a league-high-tying seven interceptions and earned his first career Pro Bowl nod, AP first-team All-Pro selection and Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL Team honor.
Between stints with the Chargers, Manusky earned his first opportunity as a defensive coordinator and was the architect of the 49ers' defense for four seasons (2007-10). The unit arguably had its best year under Manusky in 2009, when it forced a league-high 21 fumbles, ranked tied for third in sacks (44) and allowed the sixth-fewest yards per rush (3.6).
Playing in Manusky's defense, linebacker Patrick Willis earned AP All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in all four years, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007 by the AP and Pro Football Writers of America and was a member of the PFWA All-NFL team on two occasions (2007, '09). Additionally, defensive tackle Justin Smith garnered consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2009-10.
In his first run with the Chargers, Manusky served as the team's linebacker coach for five seasons from 2002-06. He coached three players to a combined four Pro Bowl selections, including linebackers Junior Seau (2002) and Shawne Merriman (2005-06) in the first two years of his NFL career.
Under Manusky's guidance in 2006, Merriman record 17 sacks, tying the franchise's single season record. Merriman's 17 sacks also led the NFL that season and were the most by a player at the time since Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan totaled 18.5 in 2003.
Beginning his coaching career in 2000, Manusky worked as a volunteer linebackers and special teams coach for Tampa Bay during training camp. He then joined Washington's staff in 2001 as the team's linebackers coach, helping guide linebacker LaVar Arrington to his first career Pro Bowl selection.
Manusky, who was a linebacker and standout special teams contributor, played 12 seasons in the NFL with Washington (1988-90), Minnesota (1991-93) and Kansas City (1994-99). He appeared in 178 regular-season games (21 starts) and five postseason contests during his professional career, totaling 217 tackles (148 solo) and 103 special teams stops.
A native of Wyoming, Pa., Manusky attended Dallas (Pa.) Senior High School before moving on to Colgate University, where he was a four-year letterman (1984-87) and an All-Colonial League selection. As a senior in 1987, Manusky was named the Colonial League's Defensive Player of the Year. He graduated with degrees in education and geology.
Given his contributions to the program, Manusky was inducted into Colgate's Hall of Honor in 2005. Manusky and his wife, Laurie, have two sons, Colton and Jake, and two daughters, Logan and Chandler.
ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-PRO PLAYERS COACHED (6): LB LaVarr Arrington (2001), LB Donnie Edwards (2002, '04), LB Robert Mathis (2013), LB Shawne Merriman (2006), LB Patrick Willis (2007-10), S Eric Weddle (2011).
PRO BOWL PLAYERS COACHED (12): S Mike Adams (2014-15), LB LaVarr Arrington (2011), CB Vontae Davis (2014-15), LB Donnie Edwards (2002), LB D'Qwell Jackson (2014), LB Ryan Kerrigan (2016-18), LB Robert Mathis (2012-13), LB Shawne Merriman (2005-06), LB Junior Seau (2002), DT Justin Smith (2009-10), S Eric Weddle (2011), LB Patrick Willis (2007-10).
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Denver Broncos
Inside Linebackers 2023-24
Minnesota Vikings
Inside Linebackers 2022
University of Kentucky
Quality Control Assistant 2020-21
Washington Commanders
Defensive Coordinator 2017-19
Outside Linebackers 2016
Inside Linebackers 2001
Indianapolis Cots
Defensive Coordinator 2012-15
San Diego Chargers
Defensive Coordinator 2011
Inside Linebackers 2002-06
San Francisco 49ers
Defensive Coordinator 2007-10