Do we need to hire an interim DC?

[n1997y]

The latest health news about Terrell Williams reminded of a partly baked post I was planning, asking how much his health-related absences have caused problems with the defense this season?

That’s even more of a question now.

DC’s job is not just play calling and gameday sideline activities, it’s game planning, roster management, coordinating position groups, overseeing all the defensive coaching staff.

Zak has been filling in when Terrell is unavailable. How has that affected linebacker play by distracting him from his primary job? How about other groups, are their coaches being affected too just not as much?

Does the team need to have Terrell take a medical leave of absence so they can hire a replacement or interim DC?

NOTE I’m not slighting Ray by putting RLKAG on the sidelines for this poll, just keeping it as simple as possible.

 

[signbabybrady]

Kuhn is obviously getting trial by fire but I don't see how bringing someone off the streets is better. He's been basically preparing for this for months.

 

[jmt57]

I would think at this point the team would continue to utilize Zak Kuhr as the DC for the reminder of the season. He's already been in that role off and on since training camp.

Kuhr has been coaching ILBs as well. Have OLB coach Mike Smith become the LB coach, and let Kuhr devote all his attention to being DC.

Probably best to not make too many changes to the staff midseason.

 

[Triumph]

The defense has actually been very good.

Certainly vs the run and its held up vs the pass. Rogers did not go wild last week and DK Metcalf was held to 32 yards. Tywreck Hill had 109 yards, but 0 TDs.

With that said I vote no. You leave the job open for Williams to come back.

 

[Kdo5]

The defense has actually been very good.

Certainly vs the run and its held up vs the pass. Rogers did not go wild last week and DK Metcalf was held to 32 yards. Tywreck Hill had 109 yards, but 0 TDs.

With that said I vote no. You leave the job open for Williams to come back.

The defense has been very good? What are you smoking? They had a string of good drives against a pathetic Steelers offense. Otherwise they have not been good.

The Dolphins shredded us who cares if Tyreke didn’t haven’t a TD.

 

[signbabybrady]

Since I don't even think hiring outside is something they'd do I would ask another question about how to manage this after the season?

What if Williams beats it and wants back, even if Kuhn does well do you automatically make him the next guy, or do you just look for an experienced proven other option?

 

[Brotherblues]

I would think at this point the team would continue to utilize Zak Kuhr as the DC for the reminder of the season. He's already been in that role off and on since training camp.

Kuhr has been coaching ILBs as well. Have OLB coach Mike Smith become the LB coach, and let Kuhr devote all his attention to being DC.

Probably best to not make too many changes to the staff midseason.

This.

At most bring in someone to help with the LBs if it's too much for Mike Smith to do both ILB and OLB.

 

[TheRainMaker]

The defense has actually been very good.

The defense has been very good? What are you smoking? They had a string of good drives against a pathetic Steelers offense. Otherwise they have not been good.

Against the run they, they have been elite so far only allowing a ridiculous 60 yards per game. James Cook will be a good test. Against the pass however, they are 3rd worst giving up 265 yards per game. Gonzo needs to get his ass back on the field. They are mediocre in total yards and points. It would be nice if the NFL stat geek take off special teams TD's or offensive turnovers for TD's as that skews the numbers on defense.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Duplicate.

 

[Ring 6]

I would think at this point the team would continue to utilize Zak Kuhr as the DC for the reminder of the season. He's already been in that role off and on since training camp.

Kuhr has been coaching ILBs as well. Have OLB coach Mike Smith become the LB coach, and let Kuhr devote all his attention to being DC.

Probably best to not make too many changes to the staff midseason.

Many coordinators also coaches position.

 

[Tunescribe]

The latest health news about Terrell Williams reminded of a partly baked post I was planning, asking how much his health-related absences have caused problems with the defense this season?

That’s even more of a question now.

DC’s job is not just play calling and gameday sideline activities, it’s game planning, roster management, coordinating position groups, overseeing all the defensive coaching staff.

Zak has been filling in when Terrell is unavailable. How has that affected linebacker play by distracting him from his primary job? How about other groups, are their coaches being affected too just not as much?

Does the team need to have Terrell take a medical leave of absence so they can hire a replacement or interim DC?

NOTE I’m not slighting Ray by putting RLKAG on the sidelines for this poll, just keeping it as simple as possible.

Williams still is DC and as Vrabel said will remain involved as his treatment allows. No doubt both he and Vrabel are working closely with Kuhr.

 

[n1997y]

I’ve seen lots of missed tackles. A couple of weeks ago there was a lot of *****ing about Spillane. He got better the next week, but it was an obvious bad game by a highly regarded veteran so one has to wonder if coaching, or lack of it, was a factor. Those are just two examples that spring to mind immediately, off the top of my head, so I’m sure there are more.

Zak Kuhr has been handling two jobs, his own as LB coach and Williams’ as DC. Those are two separate jobs in the organization for a reason, and that reason must include the fact that it takes two people to do them, so it seems unreasonable to expect one person to do both well.

I’d say the right thing to do is for Terrell to take a medical leave of absence, and appoint an interim replacement to do his job in his absence. That’s best for him and best for the team.

“Interim” means the new guy is temporary, until Terrell is healthy enough to return to work full time at peak performance. So Terrell doesn’t lose his job. New guy knows it’s temporary so it’s fair to him.

Naming Kuhr interim DC is one possibility; finding someone else is another. If Kuhr steps up as interim DC he could revert to his permanent LB coach position when (if) Williams returns, but for the interim the LB coaching duties should be assigned to someone else. That could be someone on staff now or a temporary hire.

It seems whatever Terrell Williams has for treatment he’ll be unable to effectively perform at DC for at least the next two months. That’s pretty much the heart of the season so it makes sense to me for his leave of absence to extend to the end of the season. As others have observed in earlier comments, it’s not good to be making lots of changes during the season.

 

[Sciz]

Vrabel said that defensive assistant Vinny DePalma has taken on a bigger role with the ILBs. Seems like that’s how things are going to work now.

 

[Ian]

From Vrabel today on this:

TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel's Press Conference 9/26 | PatsFans.com

Here's what Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say during his press conference on Friday, September 26, 2025.

www.patsfans.com

"So we’ll continue as we have been with Zak Kuhr calling the defenses. I felt like that went well. I think the communication through the week, the organization hasn’t missed a beat whatsoever. I think those guys are doing a great job over there. Vinny DePalma is helping as he progresses to working with the linebackers, and he was doing that role anyway. Again, really comfortable with where we’re at and how we’re operating."

 

[mgdouche]

This.

At most bring in someone to help with the LBs if it's too much for Mike Smith to do both ILB and OLB.

Jerod Mayo is available.

 

[jmt57]

Many coordinators also coaches position.

True, excellent point.

I just wonder if that's a lot to ask of Kuhr right now, based on where he is at this point in his coaching career.

Do those that have assumed dual roles in the past have more overall experience than Kuhr at this level?
(I have no idea of that answer, I genuinely do not know.)


Zak Kuhr's coaching timeline
NFL:
2025: Patriots ILB/interim DC
2024: Giants defensive assistant
2023: Titans ILB coach
2022: Titans ILB assistant
2021: Titans ILB assistant
2020: Titans Quality Control, defense

College:
2019: Asst coach, University of Texas
2018: Asst HC/OC/RB coach, Texas State
2017: Co-OC/RB coach, Texas State
2016: RB coach, Rutgers
2015: Co-OC/RB coach, James Madison
2014: RB coach, James Madison
2013: Grad assistant, Old Dominion
2012: Intern, Ohio State (RB)
2011: Intern, Ohio State (ST)
2010: ST coordinator, Edward Waters College (D-2)
2009: QB/RB coach, Edward Waters College

High School:
2008: OC, Westside High School
2007: Asst coach, Mandarin High School

 

[Ring 6]

True, excellent point.

I just wonder if that's a lot to ask of Kuhr right now, based on where he is at this point in his coaching career.

Do those that have assumed dual roles in the past have more overall experience than Kuhr at this level?
(I have no idea of that answer, I genuinely do not know.)


Zak Kuhr's coaching timeline
NFL:
2025: Patriots ILB/interim DC
2024: Giants defensive assistant
2023: Titans ILB coach
2022: Titans ILB assistant
2021: Titans ILB assistant
2020: Titans Quality Control, defense

College:
2019: Asst coach, University of Texas
2018: Asst HC/OC/RB coach, Texas State
2017: Co-OC/RB coach, Texas State
2016: RB coach, Rutgers
2015: Co-OC/RB coach, James Madison
2014: RB coach, James Madison
2013: Grad assistant, Old Dominion
2012: Intern, Ohio State (RB)
2011: Intern, Ohio State (ST)
2010: ST coordinator, Edward Waters College (D-2)
2009: QB/RB coach, Edward Waters College

High School:
2008: OC, Westside High School
2007: Asst coach, Mandarin High School

I think a better solution is to share some of the responsibilities of the coordinator with the rest of the staff. Game planning can be collaborative.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'm fine with the way it is.

 

[scott99]

Maybe we should bring in Bill Belichick as the DC.

 

[Love The Drake]

Maybe we should bring in Bill Belichick as the DC.

What’s Mangini up to.