FOXBORO — For the second time in as many seasons, the New England Patriots are in the market for a new tight ends coach.
With former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien having recently accepted the head coach position with the Boston College Eagles, a Monday evening ESPN report revealed that his longtime protege — and former Pats tight ends coach — Will Lawing will be joining him in Chestnut Hill as offensive coordinator.
The 38-year-old began his coaching career as a tight ends coach at Juniata College in 2009. Over the next three seasons, his role would increase from passing game coordinator (2010) to offensive coordinator (2011-12), while competing in the Centennial Conference.
Lawing first served under O'Brien in 2013 as a graduate assistant during the latter's head coaching stint with the Penn State Nittany Lions. When O'Brien accepted the same position with the Houston Texans in 2014, Lawing remained at his side as defensive quality control coach. He was promoted to assistant offensive line coach in 2017 and 2018, before being named the team’s tight ends coach in 2019.
Following O'Brien's departure from Houston in 2021, Lawing once again followed him to the University of Alabama where he spent two seasons as a football analyst.
Related: Gone Gronk: Patriots Desperate For Tight Ends
Lawing’s departure ensures that at least one more new face will be added to Jerod Mayo’s new staff on offense. Since officially taking the helm of the Patriots on Jan 17, the rookie head coach has hired offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, quarterback coach T.C. McCartney, offensive line coach Scott Peters and assistant receivers coach Tiquan Underwood.