Chad O’Shea, Brian Flores In Line To Be Next Patriots Coordinators
With Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia headed out of New England, Chad O’Shea and Brian Flores are in line to be the next Patriots coordinators.
(L-R) Brian Flores, Chad O’Shea (Photos: Elsa/Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
(Photos: Elsa/Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)The search for the next Patriots coordinators is underway. But despite recent rumors, it's likely that Bill Belichick stays in-house and promotes receivers coach Chad O'Shea to offensive coordinator while naming linebackers coach Brian Flores defensive coordinator.
The long-known departures of both Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia are now official, as the Colts have officially announced McDaniels as their new head coach and the Lions have announced Patricia as theirs. Since Belichick typically hires his coordinators from within, that leaves O'Shea as the most likely choice to replace McDaniels.
Flores, meanwhile, interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job. But with former Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks landing that position, Flores is likely to stay in New England and assume Patricia's spot.
Another candidate to replace McDaniels was quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski. But ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted on Tuesday that McDaniels is taking Schuplinski with him to Indianapolis, adding that O'Shea is now "in play" to become offensive coordinator.
(L-R) Patriots receivers coach Chad O'Shea, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
As for defensive coordinator, rumors have begun circulating that Ohio State defensive coordinator and former Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano could get the job. NBC Sports Boston's Gary Tanguay reported last Thursday that Schiano would interview for the position. But Fox Sports 1's Bruce Feldman followed that up on Monday by reporting that Schiano hasn't decided to leave OSU yet and Schiano could still join the Patriots in another role with Flores becoming DC.
In that case, perhaps Schiano could still join the Patriots as an assistant head coach/linebackers coach, as the Boston Globe's Christopher Gasper has suggested on 98.5 The Sports Hub in recent weeks.
Regardless of what Belichick ends up deciding with the Patriots coordinators, it's two big decisions for the head coach in addition to some big personnel changes he'll need to make in order to improve the team's chances of winning a sixth Super Bowl under him and Tom Brady. Particularly on the defense.
-- By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
