Zach Kuhl is no longer temporary.
The New England Patriots have promoted Kuhl to their full-time defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
Kuhl worked under Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before joining the Patriots in 2025 as inside linebackers coach. But when defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September, he was quickly thrust into the interim defensive coordinator role.
Zach Kuhl officially becomes New England’s defensive coordinator,
(“Icon Sportswire” via Getty Images)
Under Kuehl, the defense ranked eighth in yards allowed and fourth in points allowed during the regular season, helping New England win the AFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. New England’s defense defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos in the playoffs before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
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But it was an outstanding performance for New England’s defense in Kuhl’s first year in charge. The job is his now. Defensive assistant Vinny DePalma will reportedly take over as inside linebackers coach.
As for Williams, he has been declared cured and will be able to travel to the Bay Area with the Patriots for the Super Bowl. He will take on a senior role on Vrabel’s staff, according to NFL Network.