Last season Patriots head coach Bill Belichick indicated that he had given much of the defensive play calling responsibilities to safeties coach Matt Patricia. Now Patricia has a job title that matches those responsibilities.
The Patriots announced today that Patricia has been named defensive coordinator. Patricia got his start in the NFL as a coaching assistant for the Patriots in 2004. From there he was promoted to assistant offensive line coach in 2005 and was linebackers coach from 2006 to 2010 before becoming the safeties coach last year.
The team also announced that Belichick’s son Steve Belichick has been named a coaching assistant. (Which means that if Steve Belichick follows Patricia’s career path, he’ll be the Patriots’ defensive coordinator in eight years.)
The Patriots also announced that Josh Boyer will coach cornerbacks, Brian Flores will coach safeties, Patrick Graham will coach the defensive line, Pepper Johnson will coach linebackers, George Godsey will coach tight ends and Joe Judge has been named special teams assistant.