Looking ahead Zak DC, TW Consultant?

[ctpatsfan77]

Also great.

Problem: if the HC is unable to coach, the assistant HC is expected to take over on game day.

 

[Zoomnbyu]

If you were talking about a business decision you would not feel the need to make comments like “put him in the boot with a defribilator and a salad”. That was only said to insult the cancer patient.

There was also no need to call him a heart attack waiting to happen, other than to insult him. He was hired at that weight.

See you can’t talk about what is the best decision without insulting the man, or you could do what you did.
I suppose you wanted to sound funny at the cancer patients expense. Not a choice I would make.

I see it differently but agree to disagree.

 

[n1997y]

This isn't about a heart nor insulting him. This piece is a business decision about what is right for the rest of the coaching staff, the players, the owner/investor profits, with a piece about TW and Zak.

It is about a heart, TW’s heart. The one that’s doing a lot of extra work because of his body mass.

The rest of the comment is good, except it’s more than a business decision, it’s a human decision about not putting a good man in a position where he has to choose between his job performance and his health. TW should not have to confront that choice. For now he doesn’t but if he returns as the full time SC he will. So this discussion is addressing something that’s very important on a human level, not just a business decision.

 

[n1997y]

My concern is there's been 10 HC openings and they're going to need a DC. Zak is the sexy pick.

There are restrictions for interviewing him while the Pats are still alive in the playoffs.

There’s no need to wait to give him the promotion AFAIK.

 

[mgteich]

There are restrictions for interviewing him while the Pats are still alive in the playoffs.

There’s no need to wait to give him the promotion AFAIK.

I think that you mean "offer" him a promotion. He is likely to have offers after the Super Bowl.

 

[Zoomnbyu]

It is about a heart, TW’s heart. The one that’s doing a lot of extra work because of his body mass.

The rest of the comment is good, except it’s more than a business decision, it’s a human decision about not putting a good man in a position where he has to choose between his job performance and his health. TW should not have to confront that choice. For now he doesn’t but if he returns as the full time SC he will. So this discussion is addressing something that’s very important on a human level, not just a business decision.

A fair point as well.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Prostate cancer survivor too. 16+ years, annual PSA comes back clean. Wish him the best for a full recovery.

 

[n1997y]

I think that you mean "offer" him a promotion. He is likely to have offers after the Super Bowl.

Strictly speaking every day is an “offer” of continued employment. But I don’t think splitting such semantic hairs is productive.

A lot depends on specifics of his employment agreement or contract, and league rules. If they had made the decision to name him DC at the time of Williams first health issues would they have had to negotiate a DC contract starting with a clean sheet? I suspect so, and don’t think this would be any different.

Practically though I think it’s moot. If they go to him today and tell him they want to make him DC after the last game of their season any offers he receives from other teams will be bidding against the same job offer from a team on the rise, that went to the AFCCG or maybe the Super Bowl this year and looks poised to be a contender next year, and seems to be regarded as a good working environment. It seems that if the Pats’ DC job was open right now it would be one of if not the best of those opportunities available. He’d be a Jerod Mayo class fool to turn it down.

 

[fnordcircle]

Yep.

It is an absolute shame TW has cancer. Both personally and professionally.

If he comes back, they run the risk of Zak Kuhr going to another team and being a DC (with the appropriate pay).

Not an easy situation. Hopefully TW and Kuhr remain on the staff and are happy, ok financially. and contribute to the success of the defense.

Feels easy to see a path where TW takes on some sort of Assistant HC type role like we gave BB in 1996 when he came in to be DB coach.

Specifically because I think people don't consider the human equation a lot when it comes to coaching and roster moves. Sometimes coaches and players feel a strong sense of loyalty to the owner and team especially when the entire organization has rallied around them.

If you're TW do you really want to see the guy who covered for you get essentially demoted for you to come back? Or do you want to take on a complimentary role and be glad to do it because the entire team and ownership had your back.

 

[dliverey44]

Here is a short lil 10 min video about the hell that the Pats DL caused. I know they do not get pressure every snap so obviously they suck, but this highlights to me the defensive coaching that has occurred on this team.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Feels easy to see a path where TW takes on some sort of Assistant HC type role like we gave BB in 1996 when he came in to be DB coach.

Specifically because I think people don't consider the human equation a lot when it comes to coaching and roster moves. Sometimes coaches and players feel a strong sense of loyalty to the owner and team especially when the entire organization has rallied around them.

If you're TW do you really want to see the guy who covered for you get essentially demoted for you to come back? Or do you want to take on a complimentary role and be glad to do it because the entire team and ownership had your back.

Spot on. I think that'll play out just like that.

My belief is Vrabes and TW are tighter than tight. I'm 100% certain Vrabes will do right by him. I also believe TW will be honest with himself and Vrabes and not sign up for more than his body can handle. Vrabes views TW as an asset and will want him around and coming back from a scary health issue, maybe a "lesser role" might be the best thing at this point in his life.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

I'd sign off on a 'promotion' for both of them. TW to assistant head coach/linebackers (I think that was his position coach assignment?) and Kuhr to DC. If both accept that deal, do that in a second.

 

[TommyD4207]

Here is a short lil 10 min video about the hell that the Pats DL caused. I know they do not get pressure every snap so obviously they suck, but this highlights to me the defensive coaching that has occurred on this team.

It's no accident Williams has been in the building the last couple of weeks.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's no accident Williams has been in the building the last couple of weeks.

Yep. Hes experienced and provides valuable insight.

 

[The Gr8est]

It's no accident Williams has been in the building the last couple of weeks.

I didn’t realize he was.

So is that contributing to the defensive improvement we have seen recently?

 

[mgteich]

OK, perhaps I am heatless, but this is a business.

I cannot see having someone who has never coached for you be promoted to Assistant Head Coach. That role is for coaches like Dante who have been top coaches for years.

The current acting DC should have been given that title and promotion after a couple of weeks. Now, he clearly deserves the formal title and job.

I'm certainly fine with the team finding a role for anyone they wish as a consultant or an assistant to the HC or DC. That is much different role than Assistant HC.
============
We see this in businesses all the time. There is a great different between Assistant to the VP (an administrative position) and Assistant VP (2nd in charge).

 

[n1997y]

OK, perhaps I am heatless, but this is a business.

I cannot see having someone who has never coached for you be promoted to Assistant Head Coach. That role is for coaches like Dante who have been top coaches for years.

The current acting DC should have been given that title and promotion after a couple of weeks. Now, he clearly deserves the formal title and job.

I'm certainly fine with the team finding a role for anyone they wish as a consultant or an assistant to the HC or DC. That is much different role than Assistant HC.
============
We see this in businesses all the time. There is a great different between Assistant to the VP (an administrative position) and Assistant VP (2nd in charge).

Wut? He’s literally been Assistant Head Coach for Vrabel before, at Tennessee.

You might want to make sure you know what you’re talking about before you go posting things that highlight your ignorance. You seem to have a much lower opinion of our present DC than his resume merits.

The following is from Patriots.com, where the team lists the coaching staff. He seems to fit your requirements. He’s coached for Vrabel for years, as one of his top coaches.

Do your homework!

Terrell Williams

COACHING
Terrell Williams joins New England as defensive coordinator after spending the 2024 season at the Detroit Lions as defensive line coach/run game coordinator.
In 2024, the Lions defense led the NFL in third down defense (32.4 percent), ranked fifth in rushing defense with 98.4 rushing yards allowed per game and 18 rushing touchdowns allowed, seventh in points allowed average (20.1) and seventh in red zone defense (50.9 percent).
Prior to the Lions, Williams spent six seasons at the Tennessee Titans under Mike Vrabel, where he served as the defensive line coach (2018-22) and as assistant head coach/defensive line coach (2023). Over that span, Williams' unit ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed (10,044). In 2022, the Titans had the best rushing defense in the league, allowing just 76.9 rushing yards per game and a 3.4 yards per carry average.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

His problems Have to be much more than prostrate UNLESS it's stage 4 like recently took Scott Adams. We don't know.

Found prostate cancer in 2010. Gleason 7, not good. Had the Big treatment, radical prostatectomy surgery for removal. Once they removed my $#@! catheter after surgery I was good to go to return to work had I not been retired. Under 2 weeks. Resumed cardio kickboxing after 6 weeks*. At cancer free 5 years, declared cured!

Next year PSA suddenly no longer 0. It came back. Had to go full bore on 90 day hormone shots plus Erleada pills that back then cost me $11,000 per year. Lots of unpleasant side effects but would easily be able to work.
Meanwhile at that same year 2015 I found I had 1.5 blocked arteries and a failing aortic valve. No symptoms Except could not condition myself to run a 5K. Couldn't take stents because when they tried the blockage "was like a cement wall". Fortunately "great collaterals" kept me from symptoms or a heart attack.
So I had coronary disease plus prostate cancer. still able to do everything except run 5Ks. Or run any distance.
Eventually stair climbing 4+ flights without breathing heavily (my metric) worsened so rather than being annoyed I finally listened to the cardiologists and had triple bypass and aortic valve implant from some poor pig or cow in late 2024. No pain. Piece of cake recovery except being very weak for a couple weeks. Rehab worked well.
I don't understand what is going on with our DC except that gross overweight must be exacerbating this much younger guy.
Oncologists& cardiologists may be able to hypothethise.

*Resumed after 4 wks only to find 15 minutes in I'd completely pissed my shorts even with my 2" vertical leaps.
Wicked pissed. Pushed recovery too soon.

My word!! Truly inspiring story dude!!! My heartfelt congratulations that you were able to fight through all that medical adversity!!! Wow!!!

 

[mgteich]

Wut? He’s literally been Assistant Head Coach for Vrabel before, at Tennessee.

You might want to make sure you know what you’re talking about before you go posting things that highlight your ignorance. You seem to have a much lower opinion of our present DC than his resume merits.

The following is from Patriots.com, where the team lists the coaching staff. He seems to fit your requirements. He’s coached for Vrabel for years, as one of his top coaches.

Do your homework!

Terrell Williams

Vrabel is free to make him whatever he wants.

As I have said many times in other circumstances, if management wants to reward someone, that's fine.

PERSONALLY, I think that we have a very qualified DC who doesn't need help to do his job. If Vrabel needs the help, as many have in the past, then fine, hire an Assistant Coach. PERSONALLY, I think that this will have zero effect on the success of the team in 2026.

PERSONALLY, I prefer the role to be a consultant. For me, an Assistant Coach is expected to do lot of work and put in the same very long hours of the rest of the staff.

I've been there. I have had prostate cancer. I have known many, many who have had medical symptoms that he seems to have. I don't think that he is medically fit to put in the long, long hours. But it isn't me who would be risking his life, or me in the management who would encourage such action.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Williams is the DC and Vrabel isn't going to pass him over. What we could see is the two of them working together on game plans, then Williams in the booth and Kur calling the plays on game day with Williams in his ear.