Sep 15, 2018; Arlington, TX: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano on the field prior to the game against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium. (Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
By the Patriots Newswire at 98.5 The Sports Hub
Former Ohio State defensive coordinator and Bucs head coach Greg Schiano is reportedly “likely” to join the New England Patriots in a “top defensive role” in the 2019 season. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network had it first via Twitter on Wednesday.
Schiano’s addition in New England would likely mean the departure of linebackers coach and defensive signal-caller Brian Flores, who is widely reported to become the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins after the Patriots play Super Bowl LIII. According to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins scheduled a second interview with Flores expected to take place Wednesday evening.
Bill Belichick has a close working relationship with Schiano that dates back to the latter’s tenure as Rutgers head coach from 2001-11. Belichick notably drafted four players out of Schiano’s program, including longtime defensive captain Devin McCourty (2010) and three picks from 2013: cornerback Logan Ryan, safety Duron Harmon, and linebacker Steve Beauharnais. Schiano also coached current Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty.
Schiano jumped from Rutgers to the NFL in Tampa Bay from 2012-13, then coached on a volunteer basis at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, where his sons played. As described in a story by SI, Schiano stayed off the sidelines in the team’s games so as not to distract from the team or its players. In 2016, Schiano joined Urban Meyer at Ohio State and served as defensive coordinator through the 2018 season.
If Schiano becomes the Patriots’ next defensive signal-caller, he will be the third coach in as many seasons to serve that role. Flores took over in 2018 for Matt Patricia, who left the Patriots to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions.
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