The Patriots’ offensive coordinator search is really heating up
The New England Patriots may have their new offensive coordinator hired before the Super Bowl.
That’s according to Albert Breer at SI, who said in his newest column: “My guess is the Patriots will have most of the big hires wrapped up this week.” Breer also reported a pair of new interviews for the Patriots’ vacant offensive coordinator job: 49ers offensive passing game specialist Klint Kubiak, and Raiders pass game coordinator Scott Turner.
MORE: Patriots promote DeMarcus Covington to defensive coordinator
Kubiak is an interesting one. He has a mix of pro and college experience, including as the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He served as the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator in 2022, then went to the Niners in 2023. Though his work with the Vikings and Broncos might not be particularly impressive, his time with the offense and quarterback Brock Purdy in San Francisco certainly is. And yes, he is in fact the son of former NFL head coach Gary Kubiak, who was a branch of the Mike Shanahan coaching tree.
Scott Turner of the Raiders is among the candidates to interview for the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator job. (Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports)
Turner is another son of a former NFL coach, Norv Turner. And like Klint Kubiak, he also runs a system similar to his dad’s, known as “Air Coryell,” a form of vertical passing offense. Prior to the Raiders, Turner was the offensive coordinator in Washington for three seasons.
Kubiak’s interview reportedly already took place, while Turner has yet to meet with them. The Pats are also set to interview former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
Breer noted three coaches that have interviewed with the Patriots that seem among the favorites to land a job in New England: Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley, 49ers tight ends coach Brian Fleury, and on the defensive side of the ball, Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker. Breer is expecting a mix of “old and new” on Jerod Mayo’s staff, as he retains certain guys (like new defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington) and bringing in others from outside the organization.
Regardless of who actually ends up on the sidelines in Foxboro in 2024, it sounds like a lot of them will be hired in the coming days.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
Patriots coaching staff tracker: Building out the staff
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.
