Continuing the trend of former players turning to coaching after their playing careers are over, former Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower has been hired as the linebackers coach for his former team, according to his agent, SportsTrust Advisors. Mike Reiss of ESPN reported that the hiring completes a major coaching hire on the defensive side of the ball, indicating that cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino will return as coach in 2024.
Hightower started in 2012 for the Alabama Patriots. An immediate starter, Hightower played at a high level for the Red, White and Maroons during his 10-year career. blue The two-time Pro Bowler’s biggest problem was longevity.
While in New England, he appeared in every game of the season and missed 11 games in 2017 with a torn pectoral muscle. He was also one of the NFL players to sit out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hightower will return for the 2021 season and is scheduled to retire in 2023 after signing a contract in 2022. Hightower finished his career with 569 total tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, two forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. In his career, he had 67 quarterback hits, one interception and 18 pass deflections. Hightower returned to the NFL as the coach of the only team he ever played for. He joins former teammate and new manager Jerod Mayo. With former defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington serving as defensive coordinator, Hightower joins new defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery and returns safeties coach Brian Belichick and Pellegrino as coaches on the defensive staff.
The smaller roles may still be filled, but that should put an end to the big hires on this side of the ball. As for a smaller coaching role, New England is finalizing a deal to bring in former Panthers offensive line coach Robert Kugler, according to Mike Giardy of the Boston Sports Journal.
Kugler is a big name in coaching circles and is considered a potential candidate for the offensive coordinator position in the near future.
