Patriots hire Dont'a Hightower as new linebackers coach
It's a reunion in New England. Jerod Mayo has hired Dont'a Hightower as the new linebackers coach for the Patriots next season, per his agency. The three-time Super Bowl champion returns to the team where he spent his whole career, but this time will remain on the sidelines. This is a great hire for Mayo […]
It's a reunion in New England.
Jerod Mayo has hired Dont'a Hightower as the new linebackers coach for the Patriots next season, per his agency.
The three-time Super Bowl champion returns to the team where he spent his whole career, but this time will remain on the sidelines.
This is a great hire for Mayo and the Patriots, who are bringing in someone that has history working with the new head coach. And he takes over the role formerly held by Mayo and Steve Belichick.
But this has clearly been coming for some time now.
"I think Hightower would be a phenomenal coach," Mayo said about Hightower last year. "When I get a chance to run my own ship, I’ll try to recruit him.”
"I got a chance to play beside him, I got a chance to coach him. There aren’t many people like Hightower, in terms of his smarts."
Similar to Mayo, Hightower was also a first round draft pick, selected by the Patriots in 2012. Throughout his nine years in the league, Hightower finished with 569 total tackles, 27 sacks, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and one interception. He also has two touchdowns on his resume, with both being returns.
Along with having experience in the league, Hightower knows a thing or two (or three) about winning. And he would be more motivated than ever to help them get back on top.
