The New England Patriots made a series of coaching moves on Friday, officially announcing "new position responsibilities for four members on the current coaching staff."
Bill O'Brien has been named the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, while on defense, Matt Patricia is the new safeties coach, Patrick Graham is now the linebackers coach and Brian Flores was named defensive assistant. The team also announced that Corwin Brown, who was a defensive backs coach in 2010, was not retained (a move that had been expected).
O'Brien will be entering his fifth season with the Patriots, the last two spent as the quarterbacks coach and a de facto offensive coordinator (the Patriots did not officially list one). In 2010, the Patriots led the league with 32.4 ppg and their offense finished eighth in the NFL in total yards.
Flores, entering his fourth season with New England, was an offensive assistant coach/special teams in 2010. Graham moves from his position of defensive assistant coach to take over the linebackers coaching position from Patricia, a position he held since 2006, who is becoming the safeties coach. It will be Patricia's eighth season in the NFL.
To recap:
- Bill O'Brien officially named offensive coordinator
- Matt Patricia moved from linebackers coach to safeties coach
- Patrick Graham, a former defensive assistant, will takeover linebackers
- Brian Flores has been named a defensive assistant