The New England Patriots’ coaching staff saw plenty of turnover during the offseason as six assistant coaches left after the Super Bowl: defensive play caller/linebackers coach Brian Flores joined the Miami Dolphins, as did the position coaches for wide receivers (Chad O’Shea), quarterbacks (Jerry Schuplinski; assistant) and cornerbacks (Josh Boyer); defensive line coach Brendan Daly moved to the Kansas City Chiefs, coaching assistant Atif Austin to Northern Illinois.
Needless to say that the team had plenty of open roles to fill. While the majority of the replacements was already reported in early May, the team did not announce the full staff until today: New England released its annual media guide, featuring a full list of the new-look coaching staff. Let’s take a look at it.
Head coach
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick enters his twentieth season in New England, and is already the most successful head coach the league has ever seen. His media guide entry lists a total of 23 divisional titles, 16 of which since taking over the Patriots. It lists 12 conference titles, with 9 stemming from his time in New England. And on top of it all, it also includes 8 Super Bowl wins — 6 of which with the most successful organization of the NFL’s salary cap era.
Offense
Josh McDaniels: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Mick Lombardi: Assistant Quarterbacks
Ivan Fears: Running Backs
Cole Popovich: Assistant Running Backs
Joe Judge: Wide Receivers (also Special Teams Coordinator)
Nick Caley: Tight Ends
Dante Scarnecchia: Offensive Line
Most of the positions on the offensive staff were already known by May, but two are new additions to the list. Mick Lombardi will success Jerry Schuplinski as the Patriots’ assistant quarterbacks coach, while Cole Popovich assist Ivan Fears in working with the running backs. The only other change when compared to last year — one that was previously reported — is Joe Judge adding coaching wide receivers to his responsibilities.
Defense
Bret Bielema: Defensive Line
Joe Kim: Director of Skill Development
DeMarcus Covington: Outside Linebackers
Jerod Mayo: Inside Linebackers
Mike Pellegrino: Cornerbacks
Steve Belichick: Secondary, Safeties
There are only a handful of changes when comparing this list to the one reported in May. For one, former defensive assistant/pass rush coach Joe Kim has received a new title in his second year with the club and will henceforth be known as the Patriots’ director of skill development. His responsibilities will probably not change drastically when compared to the 2018 season. Furthermore, Mike Pellegrino will work specifically with the cornerbacks and not the defensive backs as a whole. Meanwhile, Steve Belichick has added a ‘secondary’ to his role as safeties coach.
Special teams
Joe Judge: Special Teams Coordinator (also Wide Receivers)
Cam Achord: Assistant Special Teams
With Joe Judge also coaching wide receivers in 2019, it would not be a surprise if his assistant took on a bigger role moving forward. Cam Achord is entering his second season in New England after wearing numerous hats at Southwest Mississippi Community College between 2013 and 2017.
Strength and Conditioning
Moses Cabrera: Head Strength and Conditioning
Deron Mayo: Assistant Strength and Conditioning
There are no changes when it comes to the Patriots’ strength and conditioning staff. Moses Cabrera enters his fourth year at the job while Deron Mayo — brother of inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo — will assist him for the second year in a row.
Coaching assistants
Brian Belichick: Coaching Assistant
Carmen Bricillo: Coaching Assistant
Bob Fraser: Coaching Assistant
With Cole Popovich, DeMarcus Covington and Mike Pellegrino all taking on bigger roles, the Patriots added two new coaching assistants to work alongside the returning Brian Belichick. Carmen Bricillo served as Youngstown State’s offensive line coach for the past nine years and is expected to work closely alongside Dante Scarnecchia. Bob Fraser, meanwhile, was brought on board by short-time defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. The veteran coach will likely work on the defensive side of the ball.