This offseason, the Patriots thought they had their new defensive coordinator in Greg Schiano. Now, the search continues. On Thursday, Schiano and head coach Bill Belichick released a joint statement to announce that Schiano is stepping down from the role. 
“I have informed Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick that I am stepping down from my position at the Patriots,” Schiano said in the statement. “This is not the result of any one event, but rather a realization that I need to spend more time on my faith and family. I don’t want to look back years from now and wish I had done things differently. Therefore, I am taking time away from the game to recalibrate my priorities.”
Meanwhile, longtime friend Belichick offered words of support.
“I respect Coach Schiano greatly and appreciate his contributions to our staff and team,” Belichick said. “He is a friend who we support completely.”
Ironically, Schiano was never formally announced as the Patriots’ new DC. However, it was widely reported that he had accepted the job.
The Patriots have been close to hiring Schiano for key assistant roles in the past, only to see the deal fall apart at the last minute. Once again, this appears to be the case for the former Rutgers and Buccaneers head coach.
The Pats’ last DC, Brian Flores, left the club after the Super Bowl to take over as the Dolphins’ new head coach.
Whoa whoa whoa
In memory of Schiano, the Patriots defensive line plans to dive at the knees of their opponents’ offensive line for the first play of exhibition season.
you’re a goon
Well are you a funny and jealous piece of trash
Jealous of Schiano? Not at all. Piece of trash? Probably depends on who you ask… but I’ve never been a football coach who has asked his team to try to injure opponents during an end of game kneel down, so at least I have that going for me.
Wow. That escalated quickly.
Anyone predict a Schiano scandal on the horizon???
I’m sure the Pats don’t appreciate someone accepting a coaching position the stepping back after such a short time…oh wait…
LMAO!
I’m a staunch Patriots fan. But even I have to say…. well played.
Yeah. He was at the massage polar with Kraft as well. No wonder he needs faith and family. He’s going from one happy ending to another.
I’d bet money on it
What is with this guy?!? He may not be the top coaching talent he once was but it seems Belichick has gone out of the way to grease the skids for him in the Pats’ org several times only for him to keep bailing on them??
Jerod Mayo new unofficial DC.
Maybe this story has a happy ending to it
Lol
I’m sure one of the Ryan brothers would take the job.
His wife probably made him leave! She was afraid he was out getting a Robert Craft
If you’re gonna make a comment like this then at least be funny and spell Kraft’s name right. But remind me when’s the last time the Yankees won a World Series
More championships than brady and bellicheck could fit on their hands combined. Remind me when the patriots won a an without a scandal attached?
What do the Yankers have to do with the Patriots ? Oh wait…,
What do the Yankers have to do with the Patriots? Oh wait….,
It’s actually called a Kraft
Krafty…thanks auto correct
Will the Patriots now have to defend themselves against charges that they restricted Schiano’s right to fully practice his faith? Might be a good idea to circle the wagons just in case.
As a coach who bailed out on a team after 1 Day himself, I’m sure Bellichek understands.
Did he get poached by UNLV or Texas Tech?
Geez, what a train wreck of an organization. What’s next? Lurch Brady gonna fail a drug test?
Belichick will coach the DEF himself. Hell, he might fire McDaniels too and just run the whole show just to show everyone how damn good he really is!
Honestly it doesn’t matter who it is. They can stick anyone in there
Bellichek bailed on a team after less than a day. So Schiano is in good company
Bielema might get his shot
tough pill to Swallow but gotta Hand it to the Pat’s, they did a good Job here supporting schianos
Probably got caught getting a Krafty handy hahaha
“I need to spend more time on my faith and family” = Schiano either beat his wife or cheated on his wife
If he cheated, he’d need to earn more money once she takes half.