Bill Belichick tends to operate with one of the smallest coaching staffs in the NFL.
Given the way the Patriots' offseason has gone, their staff has gotten even smaller.
Since the Super Bowl, here's a look at all of the coaching departures the Patriots have faced:
- De-facto defensive coordinator Brian Flores became the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
- Former Pats' wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea joined Flores to become Miami's offensive coordinator.
- Former Pats' cornerback coach Josh Boyer also joined Flores in Miami as defensive coordinator
- Former Pats' defensive line coach Brendan Daley assumed the same job with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- "Character coach" Jack Easterby left the team following owner Robert Kraft being charged with solicitation of prostitution.
This follows the 2017-18 season, when the Patriots were expected to lose both coordinators—offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to the Indianapolis Colts, and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to the Detroit Lions.
Ultimately, Patricia left the Patriots for the Lions, while McDaniels had a change of heart and returned to the Patriots.
New England Patriots
This leaves the Patriots with around six vacancies to fill on an already decidely small staff.
It is reported that Greg Schiano is expected to become the next defensive coordinator of the Patriots, which gives the team experience at the position.
Schiano has extensive coaching experience, having previously served as assistant head coach at Ohio State from 2016-2018, head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers from 2012-2013, and head coach at Rutgers from 2001-2011, among other positions.
Regardless, the Patriots will have their hands full this offseason when it comes to rounding out their staff.
In the past, the Patriots have tended to promote from within when it comes to coaching departures.
But like with the reported Schiano move, the Pats will likely need to look outside the tent this year to fill the gaps.
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