Coach Hightower is still weird to say for those of us who were out at parties in February of 2017 as fans watching him help lead the Pats to the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.

But, Hightower has loved his new role since becoming Jerod Mayo’s linebackers coach this spring. His game days look much different now, but he’s finding ways to live through his players after waking up on those Sunday mornings.

On Thursday when he met with the media, I asked Hightower just how different his routine and approach to Sundays is now.

“It’s a lot easier than playing,” he said with a big smile. “A lot less anxiety. But, again man, I tell the guys all the time, I live through those guys. I live through the way they play. I live through the way they practice and just really try to treat it with the utmost respect like I’m still playing. So, anything that those guys need up until the final minute, I’m willing to do it.”

Hightower also noted that he and former BC linebacker Vinny DePalma have a key role on Sundays too.

“My routine is…I guess I don’t really have a huge one, but it’s just more of just making sure guys are ready. Whether it’s a cut up or last final nuggets or tips or whatever, me and Vinny do a good job of collaborating,” he added. “(Me) and Vinny DePalma do a good job of collaborating together and just really…like, whatever those guys need up until the final minute, we do our best to give those guys that.”