Bill Belichick thanks ‘Patriots fans everywhere’ in new letter
If Bill Belichick’s departure from the New England Patriots didn’t feel real before, Sunday morning may have provided some closure. Belichick, whose 24-year run with the Patriots came to an end last…
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Al Bello/Getty Images
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
If Bill Belichick's departure from the New England Patriots didn't feel real before, Sunday morning may have provided some closure.
Belichick, whose 24-year run with the Patriots came to an end last month, took out a full-page ad in The Boston Globe to pen a letter to the fanbase thanking them for the support he received over his two-plus decades in New England. The note ran on page A3 of the Sunday edition.
The full letter reads...
"To Patriots fans everywhere –
Nowhere in America are pro sports fans as passionate as in New England and for 24 years, I was blessed to feel your passion and power. The Patriots are the only team representing SIX states but in reality, Patriots Nation knows no borders.
You were undaunted by weather, attended scorching hot training camp practices and braved Foxborough’s coldest, wettest, snowiest, and windiest days.
Your thoughtful letters offered support, critique and creative play suggestions. You watched on TV, the internet and from your stadium seats.
You traveled from coast to coast and internationally. Numerous times, you overtook opposing stadiums and were the last fans standing. We loved it! You gave your precious time, resources and energy to our team. We appreciated it!
Six times, you packed Boston by the millions for parades that were truly a two-way expression of gratitude and love. The images from those days are burned in my memory.
You may even have enjoyed my fashion sense and press conferences, or maybe you just tolerated them.
I loved coaching here and, together, we experienced some amazing moments.
Thank you all.
With respect and admiration,
Bill Belichick"
Belichick's future post-Patriots remains unknown. The head coaching cycle for this year is complete, with the six-time Super Bowl champion left on the outside looking in. Speculation has ranged from a potential media gig, to him taking an advisor role, to an outright gap year.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are still trying to fill out their staff for the post-Bill Belichick era. They have their three coordinators, and now are on to hiring positional coaches. Here's a look at where things stand as of Sunday morning...
Patriots coaching staff tracker: Building out the staff
With Jerod Mayo's introduction in the books, the New England Patriots' next step is to build out his coaching staff for 2024. That begins with the coordinators, with the Patriots interviewing candidates for all three positions - offense, defense, and special teams. They'll also have to hire positional coaches once those coordinators are decided.
In 2024, the Patriots will be on their fourth offensive coordinator in four years. When Josh McDaniels left after the 2021 season the team went without an officially-titled coordinator in 2022, with former defensive coach Matt Patricia handling the bulk of the play-calling responsibilities that year. Last year the Patriots brought in Bill O'Brien to replace Patricia, but O'Brien ended up being one-and-done in New England - he took a job at Ohio State earlier this month.
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The Patriots haven't had an officially titled defensive coordinator since Patricia held the job from 2012-2017. Those responsibilities went to Brian Flores in 2018, then were split between Mayo and Steve Belichick from 2019 to 2023.
On special teams, the Patriots haven't officially parted ways with either coordinator Cam Achord and assistant head coach Joe Judge, who worked almost exclusively with the unit last year. However, the fact they're taking interviews at the position means those two likely won't be kept on Mayo's staff.
So, who will be coming in to take these jobs on the new Patriots coaching staff? Here's a look at the confirmed interviews for each position, which will be updated as more news comes in...
Offensive coaching staff
Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt directs the offense during training camp, Aug. 5, 2022 in Berea. (Syndication: Akron Beacon Journal)
Offensive coordinator: Alex Van Pelt
Quarterbacks coach: T.C. McCartney
Running backs coach: Taylor Embree
Wide receivers coach: Unknown (no official parting of ways with Troy Brown)
Assistant wide receivers coach: Tiquan Underwood
Tight ends coach: Vacant
Offensive line coach: Scott Peters
Assistant offensive line coach: Robert Kugler
Offensive assistant: Ben McAdoo
Offensive assistant: Michael McCarthy
The Patriots completed their coordinator search by hiring Van Pelt, a former NFL quarterback. Now, they begin the process of filling out his staff. Here's a look at who they've been linked to for positional coaching roles...
-- Robert Kugler (former Carolina Panthers assistant offensive line coach)
-- Ben McAdoo (former New York Giants head coach)
-- T.C. McCartney (former Cleveland Browns coach)
x -- Andy Dickerson (hired by Cleveland Browns)
Patriots' offensive coordinator interviews...
-- Scott Turner (Las Vegas Raiders pass game coordinator)
-- Klint Kubiak (San Francisco 49ers pass game coordinator)
-- Luke Getsy (former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator)
-- Brian Fleury (San Francisco 49ers tight ends coach)
-- Tanner Engstrand (Detroit Lions pass game coordinator)
-- Jerrod Johnson**** (Houston Texans quarterbacks coach)
-- Thomas Brown***** (Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator)
-- Nick Caley (Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach)
-- Zac Robinson*** (Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach)
-- Dan Pitcher** (Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks coach)
-- Shane Waldron* (Seahawks offensive coordinator)
*Waldron was hired as the Chicago Bears OC after interviewing with the Patriots
**Pitcher was promoted to the Bengals' OC job, replacing new Titans head coach Brian Callahan
***Robinson was hired as the Atlanta Falcons OC after interviewing with the Patriots
****Johnson is staying in Houston in his current role
*****Brown was hired as the Chicago Bears pass game coordinator after interviewing with the Patriots
Defensive coaching staff
Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive coordinator: DeMarcus Covington
Defensive line coach: Jerry Montgomery
Inside linebackers coach: Dont'a Hightower
Outside linebackers coach: Drew Wilkins
Cornerbacks coach: Mike Pellegrino
Safeties coach: Brian Belichick
The Patriots named Covington their defensive coordinator, promoting him from within (he was previously the defensive line coach). Mayo and Covington now will go through the process of building out the rest of the staff. Above are coaches they've interviewed for positional roles since officially promoting Covington, and below is a look at the other coaches the Patriots interviewed for the DC role, who could be candidates for positional coaching jobs.
-- Jerry Montgomery (former Green Bay Packers defensive line coach & run game coordinator)
-- Gerald Alexander (Pittsburgh Steelers assistant defensive backs coach)
-- Michael Hodges (New Orleans Saints linebackers coach)
-- Christian Parker (Denver Broncos defensive backs coach)
-- Tem Lukabu (Carolina Panthers outside linebackers coach)
Special teams staff
Jun 2, 2022; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams special teams assistant coach Jeremy Springer during organized team activities at California Lutheran University. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Special teams coordinator: Jeremy Springer
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported the Patriots are hiring Springer as their new special teams coordinator. The team has had multiple special teams coaches in the past, so look for him to add one or two assistants to his staff. The only other coach the Patriots interviewed for special teams who hasn't taken another job yet is Thomas McGaughey.
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.
