jones and mego react to dont'a hightower returning to the patriots staff
New England's new head coach is getting the band back together.
Former Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower will be returning to Foxborough to become the Patriots' next linebackers coach, according to his agency, SportsTrust Advisors.
Hightower played in the middle of the Patriots defense alongside now-head coach Jerod Mayo from 2012-2015. When was asked about his former teammate last April, Mayo said that Hightower, "would be a phenomenal coach... When I get a chance to run my own ship, I'll try to recruit him."
He stuck to his word, and the pitch clearly worked.
A first round pick out of Alabama in 2012, Hightower played 10 seasons with the Patriots on Bill Belichick's defense. He was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2016, a Pro Bowler in 2016 and 2019, and was named to New England's All-2010s team and All-Dynasty team.
The former linebacker is also a three-time Super Bowl champion, winning XLIX, LI, and LIII with the club, and effectively saved two of the wins (XLIX against the Seahawks, LI against the Falcons), with a shoestring tackle on Marshawn Lynch and a sack of Matt Ryan respectively. Watch:
Here's a look at the Patriots' new(ish) defensive coaching staff:
-- DeMarcus Covington, defensive coordinator
-- Jerry Montgomery, defensive line
-- Mike Pellegrino, cornerbacks
-- Brian Belichick, safeties
-- Dont'a Hightower, linebackers
According to SI's Albert Breer, New England is specifically looking at Hightower to serve as their inside linebackers coach, so a role as outside linebackers coach may still be open and a hiring could be on the horizon.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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