After losing his defensive coordinator the past two seasons, Patriots coach Bill Belichick is ready to add more responsibilities as he looks to repeat as a Super Bowl Champion.
Earlier in the week, news broke that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would assume the role of defensive coordinator. As one of the few coaches who has absolute power over the roster, it makes sense to give Belichick even more control over the roster.
Sure, Brady deserves credit, but Belichick has been the driving force behind one of the greatest sports dynasties in American history. As a defensive-minded coach, Belichick is the perfect fit for the roster he fine-tuned himself.
Although Belichick has remained at the head coach position for his entirety in New England, he has always had a hand in the defense. Before he was a head coach, Belichick was a decorated defensive coordinator. Slated to enter this year with Greg Schiano pegged as the new defensive coordinator, Belichick had to face a change of plans; following a short stint lasting a little over a month, Schiano chose to step down to focus on his life and family.
Once again, New England was left searching for a defensive coordinator.
The job should be a stepping-stone desired by all coordinators looking to earn a head coaching job, as the past two people to hold the position were promoted to head coaching roles elsewhere.
Brian Flores, who held the defensive coordinator position last year for a single season, was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their head coach earlier this year. Flores was the replacement for longtime defensive coordinator Matt Patricia who departed for Detroit after the team’s loss in Super Bowl 52 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Knowing that nothing can lure him away from the Pats, Belichick fits the mold for longevity in Foxboro.
Belichick has been in New England for almost two decades now and has well surpassed all expectations for how he would fare as a head coach. With responsibilities already related to general manager and head coach duties, Belichick will have his plate full. He currently is the best fit as defensive coordinator, but there are multiple options in the organization that could be targeted for a promotion later in the season.
Jerod Mayo, a former linebacker who has been hailed as one of Belichick’s favorite players, was hired this offseason as a strength and conditioning coach. As it is his first role as a coach, it makes sense that Mayo could be groomed to become the next Belichick protégé.
Another name to focus on is Stephen Belichick, the son of Bill. The younger Belichick has been with the team since 2012 as a defensive assistant until he was promoted to safeties coach in 2016. With the experience and family pedigree to back him up, Belichick could soon be the defensive coordinator while his father oversees the entire roster.
It does not matter which name is penned next to the defensive coordinator spot – the Patriots will continue to be a dominant team. Perhaps Belichick is waiting for the perfect replacement who he knows will not depart in the near future as he sets his eyes on his seventh Super Bowl win as a head coach.
Regardless, Belichick will be overseeing the operation, and that’s always a good sign.
