If reports are true it appears new Patriots coach Jerod Mayo may be on the verge of making his first significant hire. And “the call” might well come from inside the building.
According to MMQB’s Albert Breer, Patriots Defensive Line coach DeMarcus Covington could be in line for a major promotion this week to Defensive Coordinator. Writes Breer:
“The Patriots’ coordinator spots could get filled this week, too. The first domino to fall could be DeMarcus Covington landing the defensive coordinator job. Covington, as it stands right now, is a strong favorite, and brings seven years of experience working in the building to the table—the past five as a defensive position coach alongside new head coach Jerod Mayo.”
Covington has been elevated from coaching assistant (2017-18) to outside linebackers coach (2019) to defensive line coach (2020-2023) in those seven seasons in New England. He has gained invaluable experience outside the organization as a coach in a number of college all-star games as well, including the 2021 East-West Shrine Bowl as well as the 2023 Senior Bowl, for which he was a defensive coordinator.
Covington, who made NFL.com’s “Young Coaches To Watch” List last fall, is a graduate of Samford (he played wide receiver in college) is one of four candidates to have interviewed for the position since Jerod Mayo’s hiring. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported as recently as Sunday that Covington was “well positioned” to get the gig, and now it may just be a matter of time for the well-liked coaching star on the rise.
What his role would be with Steve Belichick, should he return to the team, or who would actually call plays on game days, with Mayo a defensive specialist himself, remains to be seen.
Offensive and Special Teams Coordinator would be next on Mayo’s checklist should Covington, the only previous employee to interview for the position, nab the post.
