New England Patriots
Kuhr handled the role in an unofficial capacity during the 2025 season while Terrell Williams was on leave battling cancer.
Zak Kuhr talks to reporters in June 2025. Danielle Parhizkaran / The Boston Globe, File
February 18, 2026 | 9:13 AM
1 minute to read
One of the Patriots‘ success stories from the 2025 season will apparently be staying around for a little longer.
Zak Kuhr, formerly the team’s inside linebackers coach, will have the interim label removed from his job as defensive coordinator and is set to be officially named to the position, according to multiple sources.
Kuhr, 37, was unexpectedly moved into the interim role of defensive coordinator in 2025 after Terrell Williams (who was hired to be New England’s DC when Mike Vrabel was brought in as head coach) had to step away as he battled prostate cancer.
Under Kuhr, the Patriots’ defense became one of the league’s best, yielding the fourth fewest points in the league. The team’s defensive performance was also a crucial pillar in the run to the Super Bowl.
Near the end of the season, Williams returned in a limited capacity after he was declared cancer free. After the Super Bowl, Vrabel made it clear that he would rework staff titles in order to keep both Kuhr and Williams around. The latter is reportedly set to move to a “high-ranking role” on the coaching staff, leaving defensive coordinator vacant.
Kuhr will now officially step into the role heading into the 2026 season. According to Boston Globe Patriots reporter Christopher Price, Vinny DePalma (formerly a Patriots coaching assistant) will move into Kuhr’s former role as inside linebackers coach.
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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