Sports

Speculation Is Swirling The Patriots Will Hire Bret Bielema

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David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
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Disgraced Arkansas coach Bret Bielema looks like he might be on the verge of being hired by the New England Patriots.

Speculation has been pushed about the move by Busted Coverage and The Spun. There have also been plenty of people in the know who have pointed out that Bielema is acting as a representative for the Pats at the combine and Alabama’s pro day.

It’s unclear what role Bielema would have with the Patriots once/if this move becomes official. Bielema is a defensive-minded coach, which would seem to indicate that’s where his focus would be. Plus, ex-Pats defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is now the head coach of the Lions. There’s a gap to be filled, even if there won’t be an official defensive coordinator this year.

This move absolutely shocks me and makes no sense at all. Bielema got burned down in Arkansas. He was run out of town after he just lost game after game for the Razorbacks. His inability to move the needle in the SEC was laughable. I almost felt bad for him and all the failure.

Almost, but not quite.

It just doesn’t end there. Let’s not forget that his entire tenure at Wisconsin has been viewed in a much less positive light after the team got better after he left. I’m not Bill Belichick and I’ve never won a Super Bowl. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, but I do know Bielema. I know him well enough to have predicted years before exactly what would happen at Arkansas. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out.

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