Jeff Zgonina (pronounced ska-KNEE-na) is entering his fourth season with Washington in 2023. He was promoted to Defensive Line Coach in August of 2022.
In 2022, Zgonina led a defensive line room that produced two pro bowlers in Jon Allen and Daron Payne and a pro bowl alternate in Montez Sweat. As a unit, Washington allowed 113.3 rushing yards per game, the second-fewest in the NFC.
Prior to joining Washington, Zgonina served as the San Francisco 49ers defensive line coach from 2017-18, the New York Giants assistant defensive line coach in 2016 and the Houston Texans assistant defensive line coach in 2013.
A seventh-round draft choice (185th overall) of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1993 NFL Draft, Zgonina played in 219 games (67 starts) and registered 448 tackles, 26 sacks, and 13 fumble recoveries, 11 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one interception. The former defensive tackle played for the Steelers (1993-94), Carolina Panthers (1995), Atlanta Falcons (1996), St. Louis Rams (1997, 1999-2002), Indianapolis Colts (1998), Miami Dolphins (2003-06) and Houston Texans (2007-09) throughout his 17 NFL seasons.
Zgonina played collegiately at Purdue University (1989-92) where he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Zgonina has two children: daughter, Bailey, and son, Carter.
