Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has been busy assembling his coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season. On Friday, it was reported that former Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower will join the team as a linebackers coach, according to his agency.
Hightower was the 25th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Alabama product was part of the dynasty defense, winning three Super Bowls while in Foxborough. Hightower played nine seasons, recording 569 combined tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, and one interception. Last March, the two-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement from pro football.
Nicknamed “Mr. February,” Hightower shined in the postseason, appearing in 17 playoff games, totaling 81 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.
Last year, Mayo talked highly about Hightower and even said he’d recruit Hightower to his staff if he ever became head coach. Mayo and Hightower played together in New England for three years (2012-2015), and now the pair will reunite.
“He would be a phenomenal coach,” Mayo said.
“High and I have always had a great relationship. I was older. He was like a young pup,” Mayo said last season via the Patriots team website. “There aren’t many people like Hightower in terms of his smarts. I think that gets overlooked a lot with High. High is a very smart football player.”
The defensive coaching staff is starting to take shape with the addition of Hightower. Earlier in the week, it was reported the Patriots would be retaining cornerback coach Mike Pellegrino and safeties coach Brian Belichick. In addition, NFL Network reported the Patriots hired Jerry Montgomery as their defensive line coach.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
