Patriots Promote Zak Kuhr to Defensive Coordinator

New England names interim coordinator as full-time defensive boss after Super Bowl loss

Feb. 21, 2026 at 11:23pm

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The New England Patriots have officially promoted Zak Kuhr to defensive coordinator, replacing Terrell Williams who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Kuhr served as the interim defensive coordinator throughout the 2025 season, including the team's 29-13 Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Why it matters

The Patriots' defense struggled at times during the 2025 season, and the team is hoping Kuhr can provide a spark and lead the unit to improvement in 2026 after the Super Bowl defeat. Kuhr has previous experience as a linebackers coach with the Titans and Giants before joining the Patriots.

The details

Linebackers coach Zak Kuhr filled in as the Patriots' interim defensive coordinator after Terrell Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Following the team's Super Bowl loss, the Patriots have now made Kuhr the full-time defensive coordinator, promoting him from his interim role. Kuhr first joined the NFL in 2020 as a quality control assistant with the Titans before becoming their inside linebackers coach.

  • Kuhr served as the Patriots' interim defensive coordinator throughout the 2025 season.
  • The Patriots lost to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.
  • The Patriots officially announced Kuhr's promotion to defensive coordinator on February 18, 2026.

The players

Zak Kuhr

The new defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, having previously served as their interim defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Terrell Williams

The former Patriots defensive coordinator who was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is now in a higher-ranking role on the coaching staff.

Mike Vrabel

The head coach of the New England Patriots, who previously worked with Kuhr when he was on the Titans' coaching staff.

Vinny DePalma

Expected to be promoted to the Patriots' inside linebackers coach position.

Seattle Seahawks

The team that defeated the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX.

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What they’re saying

“Zak has been fantastic. I think that, much like players when given opportunities, coaches sometimes have the same thing. When they get more opportunity, they take advantage of it and then turn that into something else.”

— Mike Vrabel, Head Coach, New England Patriots

What’s next

The Patriots are expected to promote Vinny DePalma to the role of inside linebackers coach to fill the vacancy created by Kuhr's promotion to defensive coordinator.

The takeaway

The Patriots are hoping that promoting Zak Kuhr to defensive coordinator will help shore up their defense and bounce back from their Super Bowl defeat. Kuhr's previous experience as an interim coordinator and linebackers coach suggests the team believes he can provide a fresh perspective and leadership to improve the unit.