Patriots Suffer Huge Coaching Loss After Recent Additions

The New England Patriots have made several additions to their coaching staff after Mike Vrabel became the head coach earlier this month. Last week, the Pats reportedly hired Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator, Terrell Williams as their defensive coordinator, and Ashton Grant as their quarterbacks coach.

Amid those hirings, the Patriots have seen several coaches leave the team, including Brian Belichick, Dont’a Hightower, and Drew Wilkins, in recent days. Now the Patriots will have to find a new cornerbacks coach heading into next season.

Patriots Coaching News: Mike Pellegrino Not Returning

According to Doug Kyed and Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, Mike Pellegrino will not return to New England next season. Pellegrino has been the Patriots cornerbacks coach since 2019, so this is a huge loss for the team.

The 31-year-old Pellegrino joined the Patriots in 2015 as a coaching assistant before being promoted to cornerbacks coach in 2019. In his six-year run as the CBs coach, Pellegrino has worked with countless great defensive backs such as Stephon Gillmore, J.C. Jackson, and Christian Gonzalez.

Gonzalez had a stellar second season in New England, as he was named second-team All-Pro. The former first-round pick had 59 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions. Gonzalez also possessed a terrific 55.7 completion percentage allowed on targets and a 71.7 pass rating allowed when targeted.

In addition to those guys, Pellegrino also worked with players like Jonathon Jones, who does not get the same recognition as Gonzalez, Gilmore, or Jackson, but he’s been one of the better cornerbacks on the team.

Jones hasn’t been named to any Pro Bowls or All-Pro teams, but he’s been consistent in pass coverage. With Pellegrino not returning to Foxborough, new Pats defensive coordinator Terrell Williams has to find a new CBs and safeties coach before the new league year begins in March.

More New England Patriots News and Rumors: