Patriots assistant, ECU alum steps away from team to address health issue

by | Sep 12, 2025

New England defensive coordinator and ECU football alum Terrell Williams will be away from the team “due to unforeseen ongoings,” and to undergo some health testing.

He missed time during the spring due to a health issue. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said this situation was unrelated, according to NBCSportsBoston.com.

“It was something that just came up, and we’ll have to run some more tests,” Vrabel said. “We think it’s best, and I think it’s best that he focus on that and we prepare for Miami with what we’ve been doing.”

While Williams, 51, is out, inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr will take over defensive coordinator duties. He did the same in the spring before Williams returned.

“I’m not going to really comment about Terrell (Williams) right now out of respect for him and his family. But our prayers are with him and his family,” Kuhr told ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “He means the world to me. I challenge anybody to find a better man, better dad, better coach, better friend, better mentor. But I’m always thinking about him and what he means to this team.” 

Williams was hired by the Patriots from the Lions in January. This is his first coordinator job. He was a nose guard at ECU and helped the Pirates win the 1995 Liberty Bowl over Stanford.

Photo credit: Terrell Williams (New England Patriots photo)

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