Dean Pees Steps Down ( Patriots Defensive Coordinator) UPDATED

[Donoghus]

Can't say I'm too surprised (well, maybe a bit surprised) about the news although its been quite a while since the Patriots have fired a coordinator.

Report: Patriots fire defensive coordinator
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 14, 2010 4:37 PM ET
The ugly end to New England's season has reportedly cost defensive coordinator Dean Pees his job.

Shalise Manza Young broke the news that Pees, 60, was fired Thursday. 

Pees kept a low profile as the team's defensive coordinator, although he was recently in the news for being hospitalized for shortness of breath in Week Seventeen.

A former head coach at Kent State, Pees was with New England for six seasons, including the last four as defensive coordinator.  He also coached under Nick Saban at Michigan State.

The Patriots came in fifth in scoring defense this year, but came up small in big games.  Pees' defensive squads in New England didn't finish worse than eighth in scoring defense in his four seasons. 

ESPN's Michael Smith suggested on Twitter that linebackers coach Matt Patricia will be a  candidate to replace Pees.  Patriots fans will wonder why the team didn't bid on Romeo Crennel, but the Patriots traditionally promote from within for their coordinator positions.

[Bahku]

Without getting too deep in the mud, I'll just say ... good move, but it's only a start.

[Big_Matt34]

Good news, now i just hope Bill O'Brien is stripped of playing calling duties and they bring in a capable OC.

[Bahku]

I hear Charlie Weis is available.

[Chris]

I hear Charlie Weis is available.

I don't know if you are being sarcastic or not, but I believe Weiss (who is actually an offensive coordinator) and Crennel have already signed with Kansas City.

As for this firing, it is great news IMO, and hopefully O'Brian is the next one to fall.  Neither coordinator did their job this year (and it has been a few years now for Pees).  I think a thorough house cleaning is what this team needs right now. 

[Redz]

I hear Charlie Weis is available.

Didn't he go to Denver?

[Donoghus]

Weis is in Kansas City and, depending on what reports you read, Crennel is joining him.

[Donoghus]

Honestly, I had more of an issue with O'Brien than Pees.  I think a lot of the problem on the defensive side of things was the personnel they had out there and the heavy use of rookies and 2nd year guys.  Lots of growing pains.  But someone has to take the fall, I guess.

The offensive side of things was pretty rough to take.  I thought the playcalling was questionable and the offense, as a whole, had regressed significantly since McDaniels left. 

[Redz]

Weis is in Kansas City and, depending on what reports you read, Crennel is joining him.

right KC, I knew it was when of those exPatriates places.

[Bahku]

Weis is in Kansas City and, depending on what reports you read, Crennel is joining him.

Wow ... it will be interesting to see if they are as effective together sans Bill ... great combination in NE, but who knows?

[Bahku]

I hear Charlie Weis is available.

I don't know if you are being sarcastic or not, but I believe Weiss (who is actually an offensive coordinator) and Crennel have already signed with Kansas City.

As for this firing, it is great news IMO, and hopefully O'Brian is the next one to fall.  Neither coordinator did their job this year (and it has been a few years now for Pees).  I think a thorough house cleaning is what this team needs right now. 

Yeah, I was joking, hence the little winking smiley ... I didn't know he had signed yet, but he made it clear he wasn't coming back to the Pats. House-cleaning is correct. "thorough" being the key word.

[Chris]

Honestly, I had more of an issue with O'Brien than Pees.  I think a lot of the problem on the defensive side of things was the personnel they had out there and the heavy use of rookies and 2nd year guys.  Lots of growing pains.  But someone has to take the fall, I guess.

The offensive side of things was pretty rough to take.  I thought the playcalling was questionable and the offense, as a whole, had regressed significantly since McDaniels left. 

See, I think O'Brien had more of an excuse, since this was his first season.  Remember, things were not great in McDaniels first year as well (yeah, they also didn't have recievers, but still). 

Pees on the other hand has been in that role for a while now, and has not shown any improvement. 

I still hope they dump O'Brien for a more experienced guy, but I think Pees is definitely first on the list.

[footey]

Too bad Romeo is not available. I'd take him back as DC.

[yall hate]

first, he wasnt fired.  his contract was up and he told the pats he wasnt interested in staying.  health possibly.  possibly just didnt want to stay.

second, the d may have 'underperfomed' but they were 5th in scoring defense this year (with a youngish, transition type d)

Pees wasnt the problem...

[Donoghus]

first, he wasnt fired.  his contract was up and he told the pats he wasnt interested in staying.  health possibly.  possibly just didnt want to stay.

I went off the intial report that was posted on PFT before the update was posted. 

You're right, its been updated that he stepped down and I'll change it.