The New England Patriots are searching far and wide for a defensive coordinator and have recently interviewed New Orleans Saints assistant Michael Hodges, according to a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Hodges, who is 37 years old, began his career at his alma mater Texas A&M in 2011, initially working on strength and conditioning. He then moved on to Fresno State in 2012 to serve as a graduate assistant.
In 2014, Hodges transitioned to coaching linebackers and was hired by Eastern Illinois to fill that position. He held the position until 2016 when he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. That year, he worked alongside current Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington to coach the Panthers’ defense.
Hodges, like Covington, transitioned to the NFL after just one year on the job. However, he took a different path and joined the Saints as a coaching assistant. In 2019, Hodges was moved to assistant linebackers coach and quickly rose to the position of linebackers coach the following year. He has spent the last four years working with the linebackers and has helped Demario Davis achieve second-team All-Pro honors for four consecutive seasons and a Pro Bowl selection.
Hodges is one of three candidates being interviewed by new head coach Jerod Mayo for the Patriots’ open defensive coordinator position. The other candidates include Tem Lukabu, the outside linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers, and Christian Parker, the defensive backs coach for the Denver Broncos.
