The New England Patriots have created a new role for longtime Mike Vrabel aide Terrell Williams, who had opened last season as the team’s defensive coordinator before taking a leave of absence amid a battle with prostate cancer. The move sets up Zak Kuhr, the team’s inside linebackers coach who made the defensive play calls in Williams’ absence, to potentially become the team’s full-time defensive coordinator.
After Williams was diagnosed with cancer early in the season, Kuhr took over the defensive coordinator duties and thrived. His defense was the primary reason the Patriots won three playoff games. The unit also played well in the Super Bowl, despite the team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday.
That set up a difficult question for Vrabel in picking between Williams and Kuhr. Now, he seems to have an answer.
Williams will transition to a high-ranking role within the Patriots, a team source confirmed after NFL Network first reported the news. That sets up an official opening for the defensive coordinator role. Kuhr is expected to be the front-runner to land that gig after his impressive performance in essentially that role, but the team must comply with the NFL’s Rooney Rule before making a formal hire. That means they must interview at least two minority candidates before filling the position.
Williams, 51, has been one of Vrabel’s most trusted assistants dating back to their time together with the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel didn’t want to lose that voice, even after Kuhr’s impressive work as the defensive play caller for most of this past season. It’s still not clear whether Williams will work in the front office or as an aide to coaches, but his influence on Vrabel will surely remain.
Williams rejoined the team in a supportive role during the playoff run after he was deemed cancer-free by doctors.
“Great to have him out here this week,” Vrabel said the week of the Super Bowl. “And I would say that he has a reach to all three phases, the players on our team and through our staff. So, I’m glad that he can be out here to enjoy this and also help us prepare.”
Aside from Kuhr, Jim Schwartz, who is still under contract with the Cleveland Browns, is a prominent defensive coach who could also be intriguing for the job. And it’s worth noting that Shane Bowen, Vrabel’s defensive coordinator in Tennessee for three years, is available as well.
But Kuhr’s surprising surge to running one of the NFL’s top defenses probably makes him the favorite for the gig. Kuhr’s rapid ascension from offensive coordinator at a small college to running a Super Bowl defense was wildly impressive.
“Zak has been fantastic,” Vrabel said before the Super Bowl. “I think that, much like players when given opportunities, coaches sometimes have the same thing. When they get more opportunity, they take advantage of it, and then turn that into something else.”