ORLANDO, Fla. – The Patriots are going to have some changes to their coaching staff this coming season. In case you’re wondering what those will exactly be, you’re going to have wait.
The Patriots will obviously have to replace their defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia, and might have more moves coming. One could possibly be with former Arkansas coach Bret Bielema, who has been seen working with the Patriots at various college Pro Days around the nation. [...]
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Patriots are going to have some changes to their coaching staff this coming season. In case you’re wondering what those will exactly be, you’re going to have wait.
The Patriots will obviously have to replace their defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia, and might have more moves coming. One could possibly be with former Arkansas coach Bret Bielema, who has been seen working with the Patriots at various college Pro Days around the nation.
When asked about Bielema’s role, Belichick said, “We’ll have a formal and final staff announcement later in the spring.”
If he joins the Patriots in a coaching capacity, Bielema has experience as both a defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. With the defensive coordinator spot, however, it appears it’ll go to Brian Flores although it’s been reported that he’ll call the defensive plays but without the official title. (That’s exactly how the Patriots brought Patricia along.)
Flores was a hot name last year as he interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals for their head coaching position.
“He’s done a lot of different things for us and done them all well,” Belichick said of Flores. “Has gained a lot of experience he’s a quality person, a quality coach with a lot of experience.”
In the event Flores does take on a bigger role, the Patriots could look to add a linebacker coach. That could be filled internally or with an outside hire. Of course, with all the work that Patricia did in the organization, Belichick noted that multiple coaches will have to pick up the pieces in 2018.
“I think everybody on the defensive staff will take on additional responsibilities,” Belichick said. “Haven’t really added anybody to the defensive staff. Not saying we won’t or will. I’d say everybody’s responsibilities are going to… Matt did a lot for us, obviously. He did a great job, but those will be shared by multiple people on the defensive staff.”