Report: University of Minnesota defensive coordinator Robb Smith disputes reports of him joining the Patriots

Smith disputes this entire report. ‘Nuf said.

The New England Patriots are signing University of Minnesota defensive coordinator Robb Smith to the staff, according to Football Scoop. Football Scoop previously reported that the Patriots are adding Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as defensive coordinator, although that report has been disputed.

Smith spent the 2017 season as the University of Minnesota’s defensive coordinator and linebacker coach after spending three seasons as the University of Arkansas’ defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Smith coached current Patriots defensive linemen Trey Flowers and Deatrich Wise Jr. with the Razorbacks.

Prior to Arkansas, Smith served as Schiano’s linebackers coach in 2013 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and served three seasons under Schiano with Rutgers where he would have coached Devin McCourty, Logan Ryan, and Duron Harmon. He also coached at the University of Maine from 2002-08 with former Patriots defensive back Brandon McGowan.

The addition of Smith certainly adds credibility to the idea of Schiano joining the Patriots this offseason. The question is what role Schiano will hold.

I could still see Brian Flores receiving the promotion to defensive coordinator, with Schiano serving as assistant head coach and Smith stepping in as the linebackers coach. It will certainly be interesting to see this play out.