Steve Belichick is leaving the nest.
The former Patriots defensive play caller and linebackers coach is expected to become the new defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies, according to a report in The Athletic late Sunday.
The 36-year-old son of Bill Belichick had been with the Patriots since 2012. The past four seasons, he’s called the defense on game days.
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Jedd Fisch, who is the Huskies head coach, was with the Patriots in 2020 as the team’s quarterbacks coach so he and Steve are familiar, having worked on the same staff for a year.
Even though Steve was offered a job on Jerod Mayo’s new staff, the younger Belichick thought it best to move on from Foxborough. In order to get out from under his father’s shadow, and establish his own identity, it did seem prudent for Steve to branch out on his own.
In a recent episode of the “Eye on Foxborough” podcast, Devin McCourty — who played under Steve Belichick as a position coach — was among those who thought it would be beneficial for Steve to coach elsewhere.
“I’m excited for him if he does get the opportunity to coach now without his dad,” McCourty said. “People will now say, ‘That’s Steve Belichick calling the game’ … because under Bill, no matter what he does, it’s always Bill Belichick’s defense, Bill Belichick’s calls even though him and Jerod had been doing all of this stuff for the defense. It was always going to be Bill.”
Belichick and Patriots running backs coach Vinnie Sunseri both interviewed for defensive jobs with the Huskies. Sunseri’s status is unknown at this point.
Had Belichick remained on Mayo’s staff, it was unclear exactly what role he’d occupy.
DeMarcus Covington, formerly the Patriots defensive line coach, was named the defensive coordinator. Chances are, with Belichick out of the picture, Covington will also assume the duties as play caller.
As for Brian Belichick’s plans, it’s unknown if he’ll remain with the Patriots as the safeties coach or head elsewhere like his brother.
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