Patriots Confirm Terrell Williams Signing; Expect Staff Reorganization Soon!

Jul 28, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (red sleeves) and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams watch players during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images The New England Patriots’ coaching staff for the 2026 season has been finalized, and it includes some changes compared to last year. The most prominent among those are the previously confirmed promotion of Zak Kuhr to defensive coordinator as well as former DC Terrell Williams taking on a new role.

That role now comes with a title: Williams will serve as assistant head coach under Mike Vrabel. “Terrell will be able to help me on a lot of things, help the football team, help the defense, continue to have a big role in that,” Vrabel said at the Scouting Combine in February. “And then just seeing where things progressed with Zak and the comfort level that we had there, so that’s where we ended up.

I think we have a great staff. ” In full, New England’s staff for Vrabel’s second season will look as follows: Besides promoting Kuhr and moving Williams to a different role, the Patriots are also moving Vinny DePalma from defensive assistant to inside linebackers coach. DePalma already worked a similar role during the 2025 season, after Kuhr took over play-caller duties in light of Terrell Williams’ early-September prostate cancer diagnosis.

In addition to the internal moves, the Patriots are welcoming three new assistants into the fold. Jonathan Decoster will work as offensive line assistant, B. J.