New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff will feature many familiar faces from his time with the Tennessee Titans.
Of the 26 staff members announced by New England on Wednesday, 11 worked with Vrabel during his six years in Tennessee from 2018 to 2023.
Along with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who previously served as Vrabel’s defensive line coach with the Titans, three other staff members are getting new roles with the Patriots.
John Streicher is now the Patriots’ vice president of football operations and strategy, a position he held as director of football administration in Tennessee. New inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr was Vrabel’s assistant linebackers coach, and Clint McMillan, the Titans’ assistant defensive line coach, will now be the Patriots’ top defensive line coach.
Other former Titans assistants under Vrabel joining his new staff include receivers coach Todd Downing (who was the Titans’ offensive coordinator), assistant offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling, running backs coach Tony Dews, safeties coach Scott Booker, Justin Hamilton (cornerbacks coach, who was a defensive quality control coach in Tennessee in 2023), director of sports performance Frank Piraino, and assistant special teams coach Tom Quinn.
There are a few holdovers from former coach Jerod Mayo’s staff as well. Mayo’s brother and strength and conditioning coach Deron Mayo will stay in his position.
Assistant strength coach Brian McDonough, assistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler, and defensive assistant Vinny DePalma will remain, with Ben McAdoo, who worked as a senior offensive assistant under Mayo, now taking on a role as senior defensive assistant under Vrabel.
Former Patriots assistant Josh McDaniels has already been announced as Vrabel’s offensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, who held the same role last season under Mayo, will stay in that position.
One other key hire is tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Thomas Brown. He interviewed for the offensive coordinator job that ultimately went to McDaniels. Brown began this past season as passing game coordinator for the Chicago Bears, was promoted to offensive coordinator midseason, and then became interim head coach for the final six games of the season.
Vrabel said in a statement that he wanted to “identify loyal, trustworthy coaches who are diverse in background, ideas, experiences, and systems.”
“We will be aligned in our vision to teach and develop our players with creativity, consistency, and attention to detail, with the major goal of developing relationships that stretch beyond the field and meeting rooms,” Vrabel added.
