New England Patriots confirm 17 new coaches after Bill Belichick’s 23-year stint

The New England Patriots have made significant changes, hiring 17 new coaches to work alongside new leader Jerod Mayo.
This comes after the team parted ways with Bill Belichick. Last month, Mayo, 37, was named the NFL franchise’s 15th head coach. This came just one day after Belichick agreed to depart the Patriots. The team has now announced its new hires.

This means the Patriots have employed a total of 19 new employees. This comprises Alex Van Pelt, offensive coordinator, and Jeremy Springer, special teams coordinator. DeMarcus Covington, the team’s previous defensive line coach, has been promoted to defensive coordinator.
In terms of numbers, this is already a larger group of assistants than Belichick’s 18 from previous season. There are still more arrivals to be announced, with rumors that the staff might expand to more than 24 coaches.

However, the moves made thus far indicate that the focus has been on rebuilding the offense. Every offensive position on the staff has been filled by a new hire.
Van Pelt, who was previously with the Cleveland Browns, will serve as coordinator. Former New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo is now the senior offensive assistant, a position held by their new tight ends coach Bob Bicknell for the previous two seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Taylor Embree joins as running backs coach from the New York Jets, while Tyler Hughes returns as wide receivers coach after a year away at the University of Washington. Robert Kugler joins as assistant offensive line coach after two years with the Carolina Panthers, while Michael McCarthy is the new offensive coaching assistant/quality control, a position he previously held with the Browns and Detroit Lions.
TC McCartney, who previously worked with new offensive line coach Scott Peters in Cleveland, will also be the quarterbacks coach. Tiquan Underwood, a former Patriots player, returns as an assistant wide receivers coach.
There have been less defensive alterations. Brian Belichick, Belichick’s son, remains as safeties coach, while Mike Pellegrino, cornerbacks coach, continues in his role under promoted coordinator Covington.
The most prominent addition is Dont’a Hightower, who rejoins the organization a year after proclaiming his retirement. The three-time Super Bowl champion succeeds Mayo as inside linebackers coach.

Vinny DePalma joins as a defensive coaching assistant/quality control fresh out of Boston College. Jamael Lett, another new defensive coaching assistant/quality control, has previous collegiate experience, most notably at the University of North Carolina.
In other news, Jerry Montgomery has left the Green Bay Packers after nine seasons and is now a defensive line coach in New England. Drew Wilkins left the Giants to become the outside linebackers coach. Tom Quinn is the special teams assistant coach, and Coby Tippett serves as the coaching assistant/quality control. In addition, Brian McDonough has joined as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.