Fresh off their Super Bowl LIII win, the Patriots are basking in their glory. At least some of them are. Bill Belichick is not one of them. Belichick not only has to get ready for the combine, free agency and the draft, he also has to fill several openings on his coaching staff.
New Dolphins head coach Brian Flores raided the Patriots staff and took with him three assistants. Receivers coach Chad O’Shea, cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer and assistant quarterbacks coach Jerry Shuplinski all took jobs on the Dolphins staff. Defensive line coach Brendan Daly also left. He took the defensive line job with the Kansas City Chiefs. Daly felt that he could maxed out as a member of the Patriots staff. Between that and his wife being from Kansas City, Daly decided to move on.
Belichick must replace five assistants. The process has already begun. He has already replaced Flores with former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano. Belichick has also hired Mick Lombardi, son of former NFL executive Mike Lombardi to serve as the assistant quarterbacks coach. Youngstown State offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo has also joined the staff as assistant offensive line coach.
The other openings are expected to be filled internally. Belichick’s famed 20 for 20 coaching program has produced Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia and Brian Flores among others. Belichick will now promote the next generation of Patriots coaches. Here are some names to know.
Cole Popovich: Popovich played collegiately at Fresno State and has been with the organization for 5 seasons. Popovich coached in college prior to being hired by the Patriots.
Mike Pellegrino: Pellegrino has been with the organization for 5 seasons. A former college lacrosse player, Pellegrino shifted over to on field duties last season.
Brian Belichick: Bill Belichick’s youngest son started his career as a scouting intern but he has been on staff the past two seasons.
DeMarcus Covington: Covington is in his third season with the organization. He played wide receiver at Samford and has primarily coached defense with the Patriots. Covington has specifically worked with the linebackers.
Bret Bielema: The former Wisconsin and Arkansas head coach was a defensive assistant last season. Bielema has a linebackers background and could be elevated to linebackers coach with Brian Flores departure.
Belichick has plenty of options on staff to fill the rest of the openings. With seven assistants returning, Belichick should have no problem stabilizing things and moving forward with the coaches on staff.