The New England Patriots will have to part ways with another coaching staff. Steve Belichick, who was most recently the linebackers coach and was the team’s de facto co-defensive coordinator with new head coach Jerod Mayo, will serve as the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington.
The 36-year-old will likely take his talents elsewhere and create a significant hole on the Patriots’ coaching staff. Here’s the big picture of what Belichick’s departure means for the team.
The Patriots are losing their most experienced defensive coach…Steve Belichick arrived in New England in 2012 and joined his father’s staff as a defensive assistant.
After three years in that role, he was promoted first to safeties coach and later to linebackers coach. In recent seasons, he led the defense with Jerod Mayo as the de facto coordinator. Belichick’s coaching experience under his father’s regime was second to none in terms of personnel, so it made sense to give him the role.
He became the longest-tenured reliever on the left side of the ball following the departures of Brian Flores and Josh Boyer in 2019. …and his longtime colleague Jerod MayoTowards the end of his playing career, Mayo was forced to miss time as injuries began to mount. But along the way, he formed a productive partnership with Steve Belichick.
Belichick introduced Mayo to coaching techniques, and Mayo helped Belichick better understand the game from a player’s perspective. The camaraderie they created during practice sessions was the foundation of their partnership years later when they ran the Patriots’ defense together. Mayo and Belichick complement each other well, allowing New England to field one of the best units in football in 2019.
But now, for the first time in his managerial career, Mayo will be without a long-time ally. The young manager feels the pressure to prove he is up to the challenge.New England needs a new linebackers coach. Despite his role as play-caller and associate coordinator, Belichick has been the official coach of the Patriots in recent years.
As a result, they now have to find a new linebackers coach. With his departure to Washington and the promotion of LB coach Jerod Mayo to head coach, that position is now completely vacant.
Fortunately for the Patriots, there is an in-house, more realistic alternative. Ultimately, the top candidates are safeties coach Brian Belichick and cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino, who worked with the linebackers in last year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. However, Jerrod Mayo is reportedly looking for a new “backup coach” outside of the current organizational structure.
Two names in particular are worth noting. Carolina Panthers outside linebackers coach Tem Lucabu and New Orleans Saints linebackers coach Michael Hodges failed to interview for the Patriots defensive coordinator position, but could be candidates to join in other positions. …and a new defensive signal callerIt’s simple. DeMarcus Covington is expected to take over Steve Belichick’s new defensive coordinator role. Covington has limited experience in the zone, but is a prime candidate to fill the role Belichick is no longer in the role.
He also landed in New England in 2017, so he has plenty of experience in the system. He also saw some snaps during his college days, occasionally at Patriots training camp and last year’s Senior Bowl.Currently, there is only one Belichick left.Two members of the Belichick family have now left the Patriots.
Bill agreed to separate in January, and his son Steve left as well. The only representative of the clan in New England is Bill’s youngest son, Brian.He has an impressive resume despite his youth, and while Jerod has received an offer to stay on Mayo’s staff, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team’s current safeties coach leave as well.
With neither Bill nor Steve in the organization, Brian’s relationship with the club appears to be much worse than it was a month ago.
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