New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has opted to return to the Patriots in 2017 instead of taking over the San Francisco 49ers. Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia did not receive a head coaching offer this year, which means that the Patriots coordinators will be back for the sixth consecutive year.
The Patriots named McDaniels and Patricia coordinators in 2012 and the Patriots have reached the conference title game in every season. Coaching consistency is a big factor in the Patriots string of success and it should continue into next year.
New England is also in an extremely unique situation with the longest tenured coordinators in the AFC. Only three coordinators have served in their role with their respective franchises longer than McDaniels and Patricia have with the Patriots and they are all in the NFC.
2009: Saints OC Pete Carmichael, Jr., Packers DC Dom Capers
2010: N/A
2011: Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell
2012: Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, Patriots DC Matt Patricia, Steelers OC Todd Haley, Ravens DC Dean Pees
2013: Panthers OC Mike Shula, Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin, Chiefs DC Bob Sutton
2014: Bengals DC Paul Guenther, Texans DC Romeo Crennel, Cowboys DC Rod Marinelli, Lions DC Teryl Austin, Vikings DC George Edwards
All other coordinators were hired in 2015, 2016, or will be hired for 2017. The Patriots hired both their coordinators in 2012; no other franchise has a coordinator duo where both held the role prior to 2015 (ie: they’ll be entering their third year as a duo in 2017).
The Patriots can point to improved scheming and coaching continuity as a major factor for their continued dominance over the AFC, especially with Bill Belichick as the longest tenured head coach in the NFL. But when you add consistency with the top three coaches on the staff, it’s no surprise that the Patriots are able to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.