Patriots Hire Special Teams Coordinator

Despite the Rams finishing last in the NFL's special teams rankings in 2023, the New England Patriots are hiring former L.A. assistant Jeremy Springer as their new special teams coordinator.

The New England Patriots struggling special teams unit will have a new leader in what has become a new era in Foxboro. 

The Pats, per an NFL Network report, hiring former Los Angeles Rams special teams assistant coach Jeremy Springer for their special teams coordinator, under new head coach Jerod Mayo. He will replace former coordinator Cam Achord, who held the title since 2020.

Curiously, the Rams finished last in the NFL this season in special teams rankings.

Springer, who interviewed with the Patriots last week, just finished his second season as a special teams assistant with the Rams, working under coaches Joe DeCamillis (2022) and then Chase Blackburn this past season.

New England Patriots Special Teams Coordinator Jeremy Springer / Cred: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While the Rams’ special teams unit ranked last (No. 32 overall) in special teams DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), Springer has long been considered a rising star within the coaching ranks of the game’s third phase. Prior to his hiring in Los Angeles, Springer spent eight seasons at the college level with UTEP, Texas A&M and Marshall — presiding over some of the nation’s top ranked special teams units during that span.

New England’s dismal 4-13 finish led to New England choosing to part ways with former coach Bill Belichick after 24 seasons as both coach and lead personnel executive. Despite a strong showing from their defense, New England struggled mightily in both offense and special teams. Under Achord’s direction, the Pats third-phase corps finished No. 28 in special teams DVOA, after finishing last the metric in 2022. Though second-year special teamer Brendan Schooler earned an All Pro nod for his performance this season, the unit routinely struggled with tackling, undisciplined penalties and rookie kicker Chad Ryland making only 64 percent of his attempts.

Springer will also face the unenviable task of repairing a significantly damaged unit without the guidance of 16-year veteran team captain Matthew Slater — who is expected to retire in the offseason.

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Springer’s hiring marks the first high-level coaching position filled externally on Mayo’s staff. Though it has yet to be made official, New England is expected to name defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington as defensive coordinator in the coming days. The Pats also remain in search of a new offensive coordinator to replace the departing Bill O’Brien — who recently accepted the same position with Ohio State University. 

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