On Friday, news broke that the New England Patriots have added another assistant to their coaching staff: after already bringing Vinnie Sunseri on board earlier during the week, the team also added Jedd Fisch, who had previously worked as the Los Angeles Rams’ assistant offensive coordinator. While Fisch’s role with the team — just like Sunseri’s — has yet to be determined, the expectation is that he will work primarily on the offensive side of the ball.
Wherever the Patriots opt to use the 43-year-old, one thing is certain: he will add considerable experience to the team’s staff. After all, his résumé includes six separate stints with NFL teams as well as coordinator positions at four Division I schools:
- 1997 — P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School Gainesville (high school): Defensive coordinator
- 1998 — New Jersey Red Dogs (Arena League): Wide receivers/Quality control
- 1999-00 — Florida Gators: Graduate assistant
- 2001-03 — Houston Texans: Defensive quality control
- 2004-07 — Baltimore Ravens: Assistant quarterbacks/Assistant wide receivers
- 2008 — Denver Broncos: Wide receivers
- 2009 — Minnesota Golden Gophers: Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks
- 2010 — Seattle Seahawks: Quarterbacks
- 2011-12 — Miami Hurricanes: Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks
- 2013-14 — Jacksonville Jaguars: Offensive coordinator
- 2015-16 — Michigan Wolverines: Quarterbacks/Wide receivers/Passing game coordinator
- 2017 — UCLA Bruins: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Interim head coach
- 2018-19 — Los Angeles Rams: Senior offensive assistant/Assistant offensive coordinator
Fisch’s 23 years in coaching have not only seen him move up the ranks at a considerable pace — from high school to the NFL through the Arena League and college football — but also to work under numerous different coaches: he served under Mike Shanahan in Denver, Pete Carroll in Seattle, John Harbaugh at Michigan, and most recently Sean McVay in Los Angeles. All four have had their fair share of success at the NFL/NCAA levels.
Fisch’s experience also comes from his roles, however, with quarterback coaching in particular standing out. Not only did he serve as a tutor for such experienced passers as Matt Hasselbeck, he also played a critical role in the development of some big-name youngsters: in Jacksonville, he was trusted to develop first-round pick Blake Bortles, before finding more success with UCLA’s Josh Rosen and the Rams’ Jared Goff.
While the Patriots might opt to use his experience as a quarterbacks coach in regards to their own developmental passers — Jarrett Stidham and Cody Kessler — they already have the position filled in the form of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Furthermore, the team also employs Mick Lombardi, who worked as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019. It is possible New England moves Lombardi to another position, but it would also not be a surprise to see Fisch be used in a non-quarterback spot.
The one that stands out, of course, is wide receiver. Since losing special teams/wide receivers coach Joe Judge to the New York Giants, the Patriots have yet to officially fill the position. Lombardi is a candidate to take over as is last year’s assistant Troy Brown, but Fisch could also be the chosen one: he worked with the wide receivers in Denver and at Michigan, and has the experience as a coordinator to find success in New England as well.
Time will tell whether or not the team opts to use the ex-Ram that way, or if head coach Bill Belichick has other plans, but adding Fisch to the equation certainly gives the team some flexibility and its young staff another experienced member.