The New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator search is over. DeMarcus Covington, who has served as the defensive backs coach for the past four seasons, will fill the vacancy. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Patriots “plan to call other candidates to inform them of their removal,” and the hiring is expected to be officially announced next week.
Covington, 34, arrived in New England in 2017. Coincidentally, that was the last time the club hired a full-time defensive coordinator. He spent his first two years as a defensive assistant before being named the outside linebackers coach for the 2019 season.
The following year he was transferred to his final position.In the process, Covington established himself as a young rookie on the NFL coaching scene. He already interviewed for two open defensive coordinator jobs last year and was also the only in-house candidate for the Patriots’ DC job.His coaching ability, organizational skills and relationship with new manager Jerod Mayo have now taken him to the next stage of his career. This gave Covington the victory over four other candidates.
The Patriots also interviewed Tem Lucabu (Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach), Christian Parker (Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach), Michael Hodgins (New Orleans Saints coach) and Gerald Alexander (Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs coach) for positions coordinator. With the exception of Alexander, who joined the Las Vegas Raiders, all are still candidates to join the staff in some capacity.The search for offensive and special teams coordinators continues as New England fills its defensive coordinator vacancy.
