Brian Daboll has served the Patriots in several roles in his two stints with the team. In between, he left to become an offensive coordinator for several other NFL clubs.
But Daboll has been back in New England in January 2013, during the 2012 playoff run, and finally has a new title: tight ends coach. George Godsey, the previous coach to hold that title, left this offseason to join the Houston Texans staff of former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. But the Patriots didn't announce who would take over those duties.
Check of the best photos of Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui from the 2013 season.
New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins, December 14, 2013.
During a brief conversation with reporters Thursday morning at Gillette Stadium, tight end Michael Hoomanawanui broke the news.
"For us having a new position coach in Daboll, he's done a great job," Hooman said. "It's a little different style than I'm used to, but very energetic, very in-your-face. He's going to get the best out of you. He's been around for a long time and coached a lot of great players, so we're all excited about having him."
Daboll's first NFL job was with New England in 2000, as a defensive assistant on Bill Belichick's first staff. Shortly thereafter, he became the team's wide receivers coach before moving on to the New York Jets, where he coached QBs from 2007-08. The next four seasons, he was OC for the Cleveland Browns ('09-'10), Miami Dolphins ('11), and Kansas City Chiefs ('12).
When the Chiefs' season ended in '12, Daboll was free to join the Patriots once again. He had the nebulous title of "coaching assistant" throughout the 2013 campaign, although he spent much of his time helping coach the offensive line at practices which the media were allowed to view last season. So, transitioning to tight ends seems like a natural move for Daboll (the club previously added Dave DeGuglielmo to coach o-line in place of the retired Dante Scarnecchia).
Hooman, who re-signed with New England this offseason, had good things to say as well for his erstwhile position coach, Godsey, who was a college quarterback at Georgia Tech.
"He gave a different perspective, from having played quarterback in college," Hoomanawanui added. "It was a look through a different set of eyes, what quarterbacks are seeing – that progression they go through each and every play. That definitely helped. I wish him the best of luck."
Members of the media wished Hooman good luck, too, on his upcoming wedding in mid-July.
"It's definitely exciting," he smiled. "I'm going to get home this weekend and do some more planning for it. We're almost finished. Really exciting time for us. It's going to be in Hawaii. My fiancé's from Hawaii. A lot of my family's there, too. Should be a pretty big one. It'll be fun."
Some of Hooman's Patriots teammates will be attending, he revealed. When asked if the media could cover the event, Hooman laughed.
"Will they pay for it? Then we'll see you there."
Hawaii promises to be fun for Hooman, but he maintained that New England was "absolutely" where he wanted to stay for his NFL career when he became a free agent this offseason.
"There's not place I wanted to be more than here. Going into my fourth year in this offense definitely helps… kind of taken on a leadership role now going into my fifth year. Sounds crazy to say that, but it's definitely been a blessing. I'm looking forward to the offseason, working with the younger guys and getting this thing going."
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