BY SEAN DONOVAN
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has effectively been serving as his team's defensive coordinator for the past couple years, but last season he began delegating play-calling duties to safeties coach Matt Patricia.
Patricia will now have the title that fits those responsibilites, as the Patriots named him defensive coordinator for the 2012 season on Thursday.The changes were announced in a statement on the team's website.
New England hasn't had an official defensive coordinator since Dean Pees left the team and Belichick assumed the role following the 2009 season. The unit finished 31st in yards-allowed in 2011 and hopes to make major improvements.
The team was able to reach the Super Bowl despite anemic defensive play, though it couldn't overcome its weakness during a game-winning drive by Eli Manning and the Giants that cost the Patriots a chance at a fourth championship.
New England used six of its seven picks in April's draft on defensive players in an attempt to infuse new talent into the group.
Patricia has been a member of the Patriots' coaching staff since 2004, when he started as an assistant offensive line coach.
The Patriots also announced that defensive line coach Pepper Johnson will take over the linebackers, Josh Boyer will coach the cornerbacks, and Patrick Graham will take over Johnson's D-line responsibilites. Brian Flores will take over for Patricia as safeties coach.
New additions to the staff were Joe Judge as special teams assistant and Steve Belichick, Bill's son, as a coaching assistant.
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