New England Patriots Reuniting With Former Player Dont’a Hightower
All the head coaching vacancies have been filled. However, assistant coach positions are still open. And with that being said the New England Patriots are reuniting with former player Dont’a Hightower. He will be their Linebackers coach. A position he played for the Patriots for several seasons.
The announcement was shared by Hightower’s sports agency SportsTrustAdvisors on social media:
“Heeee’s Back to Coach LBs for the Patriots. Congrats @zeus30hightower and @Patriots“
Newly appointed Head Coach Jerod Mayo was asked about Hightower being a coach last spring. His response was, “I think Hightower would be a phenomenal coach,” Mayo told reporters. “So we’ll see. When I get a chance to run my own ship, I’ll try to recruit him.” So it looks like Mayo got his wish.
Hightower will be working under Defensive Coordinator DeMarcus Covington. He will be joining Defensive Line Coach Jerry Montgomery, Cornerbacks Coach Mike Pellegrino, and Safeties Coach Brian Belichick. With the departure of Steve Belichick there may be an opening for an Outside Linebackers Coach, according to Patriots.com.
Hightower was a 2012 first round draft pick along with Chandler Jones for the New England Patriots. Hightower played for nine seasons and was a fan favorite. Not to mention an impactful player on the defense. In Super Bowl XLIX, he stopped Marshawn Lynch on 1st & goal at the 1. That set up the famous Malcolm Butler interception on the next play. Hightower ensured that Butler got out of the end zone to prevent a safety.
The Patriots won that Super Bowl and Hightower went on to win another two Super Bowls with the Patriots. After not playing in 2022, he announced his retirement in March 2023.
New England Patriots Reuniting With Former Player
However, coaching may work out well for Hightower as he was known for being a really smart player. His football fundamentals were also on point. He was good at sacking quarterbacks, wrapping them up and taking them down. Open field tackling was also one of his strengths. There’s no doubt that he is qualified to coach the next crop of linebackers for the Patriots.
So welcome back to the New England Patriots fold Dont’a Hightower. We’re very glad you’re home!
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