The New England Patriots special team tackles will have a new leader heading into a new era in Foxborough.
The Pats are set to hire former Los Angeles Rams assistant special teams coach Jeremy Springer as new head coach Jerod Mayo’s special teams coordinator, according to a report from NFL Network. He replaces former coordinator Cam Acord, who has been serving since 2020.
Ironically, the Rams ranked last in the NFL in special teams rating this season. Springer, who interviewed with the Patriots last week, is in his second season as a special teams assistant for the Rams after spending last season under coaches Joe DeCamilis (2022) and Chase Blackburn.
The Rams’ special teams unit ranks last in special teams DVOA (Defensive Adjusted Value Above Average) (32nd overall), but Springer has long been considered a rising star in the third-lowest coach game. Before coming to Los Angeles, Springer spent eight seasons at the college level at UTEP, Texas A&M and Marshall University, leading one of the nation’s best special teams units during that time.
With New England finishing 4-13, the team decided to part ways with former head coach Bill Belichick after 24 seasons as a coach and member of the general staff. Despite being strong on defense, New England struggled mightily on both offense and special teams. The Pats third-round pick, led by Accord, ranked 28th in special teams DVOA in 2022 after ranking last in that measure.
Sophomore special teams player Brendan Squier earned All-Pro honors for his performance this season, but the unit suffered from regular fumbles, infrequent penalties and rookie Chad Ryland completing just 64 percent of his attempts.
Springer will also face the challenge of repairing a badly damaged facility without the leadership of 16-year team captain Matthew Slater, who is expected to retire this season. Springer’s hiring marks Mayo’s first top-level coaching position to be filled outside.
Although it has not yet been officially announced, New England defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington is expected to be named defensive coordinator in the coming days. The Pats also continue to search for a new offensive coordinator to replace Bill O’Brien, who recently accepted the same position at Ohio State University.
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