The New England Patriots are expected to hire Josh McDaniels as an offensive assistant, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. He should join the team in time to coach during the playoffs.
While McDaniels will act as a coach during this postseason, he will be taking over the role of offensive coordinator for the 2012 season as Bill O'Brien leaves to take over as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The Patriots have already requested and been granted permission to speak to McDaniels from the St. Louis Rams, where he is currently under contract as an offensive coordinator. The Boston Globe reported earlier that "all signs point to" McDaniels taking over as New England's next offensive coordinator.
McDaniels previously spent eight seasons coaching for the Patriots, including three as the offensive coordinator before taking the Denver Broncos' head coaching position in 2009. After a strong start, McDaniels' Broncos entered a tailspin, and when things failed to improve in 2010, he was released, becoming the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams.
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