Vincent Frank
With former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia now the Detroit Lions head coach, the New England Patriots have a position to fill on their coaching staff. Well, kinda.
While linebackers coach Brian Flores will assume play-calling duties, he will not be promoted to defensive coordinator. In fact, that position will be vacant for the Patriots next season.
Yahoo! Sports’ Charles Robinson has the scoop, and notes that the Flores’ situation will be similar to what we saw with the aforementioned Patricia before he ultimately took over the defensive coordinator job in New England.
“The Patriots have not named a defensive coordinator since the departure of Matt Patricia, who left to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions last month. The Patriots will turn over primary defensive play-calling duties to linebackers coach Brian Flores, a source said,” Robinson reported. “The move mirrors New England’s grooming process of Patricia, who was given defensive play-calling duties for the Patriots following the 2010 departure of Pees, New England’s former defensive coordinator. Patricia’s title was not officially promoted to defensive coordinator until 2012.”
A defensive-mined head coach, Bill Belichick will remain highly involved in game planning on that side of the ball. In the two seasons that New England went without a defensive coordinator (2010 and 2011), it finished eighth and 15th in points allowed respectively.
It’s an interesting move. But it’s also something that is not necessarily foreign to the Patriots. Look for Flores to earn the defensive coordinator title at some point soon.
