Michael Bennett’s acquisition by the New England Patriots reunites him with one of his former head coaches in Greg Schiano, but it may not be a happy reunion for Bennett.
Schiano will be Bennett’s defensive coordinator with the Patriots, but this won’t be the first time the pair have worked together. Schiano was Bennett’s head coach for two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011 and 2012, and Bennett has indicated on multiple occasions since leaving the team that he was not a huge fan of his coach.
NFL Network’s Michael Giardi dug up an old quote from an interview Bennett did in 2015, in which he referred to Schiano as a “stiff.”
"You seem like a guy who couldn't play for a stiff…" – Radio guy in Portland, Oregon.
Michael Bennett: "I did that before. It wasn't fun. His name is Greg Schiano." #Patriots— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 8, 2019
Bennett’s critiques of Schiano were not limited to that one interview. In 2013, he called Schiano “small” and said there was “not much respect for him” among his players.
After being dealt to New England on Friday, Bennett will have to find a way to get over it, with Schiano newly-hired as New England’s defensive coordinator. Schiano has likely sanctioned the acquisition, but there may be a bit of initial awkwardness given Bennett’s vocal criticisms in the past.
