Long-time New England Patriots coach Josh McDaniels accepted his second head-coaching job this offseason, this time leading the Las Vegas Raiders.
Based on his generally grumpy demeanor, one may think Bill Belichick would immediately turn a former colleague into an enemy after leaving for greener pastures. However, per ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, the NFL’s longest-turned head coach said there are no hard feelings.
Belichick wished McDaniels well, with one exception.
“Josh is a great coach,” Belichick said. “I’m sure he feels like it’s a great opportunity; that’s why he took it. Other than against us, I hope he does well. I’m sure he will do well.”
#Patriots coach Bill Belichick, on if he had any issues on Josh McDaniels taking assistants with him to the #Raiders: “No. Josh is a great coach. I’m sure he feels like it’s a great opportunity; that’s why he took it. Other than against us, I hope he does well. I’m sure…(more)
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) March 28, 2022
That means Belichick will only support McDaniels for 16 games this season; the Patriots and Raiders are scheduled to compete in Las Vegas on a date to be determined.
McDaniels joined the Patriots in 2001, Belichick’s second year, as a personnel assistant and spent eight seasons in various roles before becoming head coach of the Denver Broncos. He came back to New England as the offensive coordinator in 2012.
Belichick doesn’t blame McDaniels for taking a new job opportunity.
“…that’s what we’ll do.” (end) h/t @MikeReiss
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) March 28, 2022
“He’s an outstanding coach,” Belichick said. “Some of the people that are with him are very good, too. It all worked out well. It’s an opportunity we couldn’t provide. He’ll be hard to replace, but like I said, I feel like we have really good coaches on staff, and that’s what we’ll do.”
While Belichick won’t have McDaniels running the offense, a couple of Patriots alums are returning from head-coaching stints elsewhere. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, formerly a defensive coordinator and special teams coach for New England, are now working on the offense’s coaching staff.
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