The New England Patriots' coaching staff is in a transitional period, even after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels decided to not become head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. After all, the team still lost his defensive counterpart this week: Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who served in this role since the 2012 season and helped the team win two Super Bowls, was announced as the Detroit Lions' new head on Monday.
With Patricia leaving New England, the search for a successor is underway. One of the names previously mentioned in relation to this search is current Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. The 51-year old is a close friend of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick ever since his stint as a head coach at Rutgers from 2001 until 2011. However, according to a recent report by FOX Sports' college football insider Bruce Feldman, Schiano is not going anywhere:
Greg Schiano tells me he is staying at #OhioState contrary to reports from Monday that he was leaving for the Patriots. Big day for the Buckeyes. Schiano played a key part in landing top OT Nick Petit-Frere out of Tampa.
Schiano serves as the Buckeyes' assistant head coach and defensive coordinator since 2012, following an unsuccessful two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With him staying put, the door is open for Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores to take over Matt Patricia's role as defensive coordinator.
Flores is well-respected within the Patriots organization, with which he spent his entire coaching career. Working his way up from scouting assistant since 2004, the 36-year old was seen as the logical successor for Patricia ever since former linebackers coach Patrick Graham left for the New York Giants. Now, Flores, who has called the defense during preseason before, will likely take the next step on the career ladder.