Patriots name new director of player personnel
While the Patriots have lost a number of assistant coaches this offseason, the front office took a big hit as well. Last month, former director of player personnel Dave Ziegler left to become the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders. On Tuesday afternoon, the Patriots announced Matt Groh will be Ziegler’s replacement and take over as the team’s director of player personnel.
Director of player personnel is an important job in the NFL, as essentially an assistant general manager. Responsibilities can include negotiating contracts as well as scouting pro and college players. With Bill Belichick serving as both head coach and general manager for the Patriots, the role can have heightened significance in New England. Before Ziegler took over in 2021, Nick Caserio had held the job since 2008.
In terms of internal candidates, Groh was considered one of the favorites for the job when Ziegler left, along with scouting consultant Eliot Wolf. Groh and Wolf led the Patriots’ contingent at the Senior Bowl last week, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Groh, who is a native of Hingham, is being promoted from being the team’s college scouting coordinator last season. He’s been with the team since 2011, and had a number of different roles in the scouting department in that time.
Coming from a football family, Groh is the son of legendary defensive coach Al Groh. The elder Groh worked with Belichick on a number of occasions – he was the linebackers coach in New York while Belichick was the defensive coordinator with the Giants, then later joined Belichick’s coaching staff in Cleveland. They also worked together with the Jets and Patriots under Bill Parcells. Matt’s brother Mike is currently the wide receivers coach for the Giants.
While the Patriots are now set with the front office, they still have a number of moves to make regarding their coaching staff – specifically on the offensive side of the ball. Here’s a run-through of the offensive coaches they’ve lost or are expected to lose this offseason…
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Alex Barth is a writer and 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. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
