The New England Patriots went with youth and familiarity in hiring new head coach Jerod Mayo, and are going the same route with their new defensive coordinator.
The Patriots are set to promote defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington to the defensive coordinator position, according to multiple reports. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted that Covington was being eyed for other defensive coordinator openings, and the Patriots were determined not to let him leave.
Just 34, DeMarcus Covington impressed on the interview circuit last year and was set to do so again.
Instead, New England keeps him home as their new defensive coordinator. https://t.co/DZxhU79BSf— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2024
Covington, 34, has been on the Patriots’ staff since 2017. Initially a coaching assistant, he became outside linebackers coach in 2019 and was promoted to defensive line coach in 2020. Notably, he worked closely with Mayo, who coached inside linebackers in 2019 while Covington worked with the rest of the position group.
Mayo has some other big staff decisions to make, but in general, he is sticking with those he has worked with. Covington has won praise in many circles, so it is no surprise the Patriots are high on him and were eager to keep him around.
