Patriots coach Brian Belichick stayed on after his father and brother left

The New England Patriots have changed a lot in recent months, including moving on from head coach Bill Belichick after a 24-year run. On top of that, they also lost Belichick’s eldest son, Steve, who was New England’s outside linebackers coach last year and will now be the defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies.

While all of that has changed, one Belichick still remains in New England, Bill’s younger son, Brian.

Brian is returning for the 2024 season to serve as the team’s safeties coach for the fifth year in a row after spending one year in the front office (2016) and three as a coaching assistant (2017-19).

For the first time since the departure of his brother and father, Brain spoke to the media on Wednesday and explained his decision to remain with the Patriots despite everything that’s happened this offseason.

“I enjoy very much coaching here, living here, working with our players every day,” Belichick said. “I have the opportunity to coach a position in the National Football League. I mean, how much more can you ask for than that?” 

It’s not all bad not working with your family each and every day.

“I think in a way, and this is getting a little personal about our family dynamics, but in a way, I think it was good for us to have some separation from being in a football building every day seeing each other. Whereas now, we’re not just connected by football, ” Belichick said. “Not that it was that way before, but, you know, we talk about other things because we’re in different places, not in the same place every day. There’s a lot to talk about football-wise, so it was hard to not get caught up in that when you saw each other at work every day.”

Belichick now leads one of New England’s best positional groups that could really be the lifeblood of the defense with Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers ready to make impactful plays anytime he steps on the field.

If the defense plays up to their potential, Belichick could get some of that credit and could be set up to get a defensive coordinator role somewhere in the near future.

Author(s)

Mike Masala previously served as the Managing Editor of USA TODAY’s Dolphins Wire as well as a contributing writer at Patriots Wire. Follow on Twitter/X: @Mike_Masala