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According to sources, the Patriots are expected to promote 34 year old defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington to defensive coordinator. 

After conducting several interviews last week, new head coach Jerod Mayo is going to stay within the organization and promote a rising star in Covington.

Covington is well respected around league circles and interviewed for defensive coordinator openings last off-season. The expectation was that he was going to interview for coordinator openings again this off-season. The Patriots decided rather than rusk losing Covington to another team, it was best to hire him and keep him in New England. 

Covington has been with the Patriots since 2017. He started off as a low level coaching assistant before being elevated to outside linebackers coach and eventually defensive line coach in 2020. 

Covington does have some coordinating experience from his time coaching at Eastern Illinois. He was also the defensive coordinator of the American team at last year’s Senior Bowl. 

With Covington in the fold, Mayo can focus on hiring an offensive coordinator. Former Patriots tight ends coach Nick Caley appears to be the front runner.