Last spring, Jerod Mayo was asked about Dont’a Hightower’s potential as a coach, and Mayo didn’t back down.”I think Hightower is going to be a great coach,” Mayo told reporters. – Well, then let’s find out. “If I ever get the chance to pilot my ship, I’ll hire him.”He hired him, and Hightower’s firm Sports Trust Advisors announced Friday that the three-time Super Bowl champion will join the Patriots coaching staff as a line coach.
Hightower, a 2012 first-round pick, made an immediate impact at Alabama, scoring a touchdown in his first game and making one of the biggest and most important defensive plays in Patriots history. Hightower’s addition should round out new defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington’s staff, with Hightower joining new defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery and expected Brian Belichick (safeties) and Mike Pellegrino (linebackers).
After Steve Belichick left for the University of Washington, an outside coach remains another possibility.In the released photo, Hightower sent a message to fans: “I’m home.”Hightower played all-defense at linebacker for the Patriots from 2012 to 2021, joining captain Ja’Whaun Bentley and 2023 L.B. Jahlani should be well equipped to face the experienced forces led by Tawai.
On the outside, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings and Mack Wilson are set to hit free agency next month. Mayo recognized Hightower’s potential and intelligence first as teammates from 2012 to 2015, then in 2019 and 2021 when Mayo coached Hightower.
Now he will be able to use Hightower’s potential and intelligence as the team looks to rebuild the Patriots legend.“Hi and I have always had a good relationship. I grew. “He was like a little puppy.” Mayo said last spring. “But he was very smart. He was very athletic. I had the chance to play next to him. I had the chance to train him.
Not many people are like Hightower because of his intelligence. I think this part is often overlooked in the above. Hai is a very intelligent footballer. When you talk about Randy Moss, nobody talks about the smart, very smart football player that he is. It’s not Hightower.
