“(Covington) has a great understanding of the entire defense and scheme. He can coach defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs. He sees the big picture,” Pats captain Deatrich Wise told the Herald in November. “He’s a good players’ coach and can control the room.”

Covington becomes the Patriots’ first named defensive coordinator since 2017. His reputation as a rising young coach spread across the league last year, when he interviewed for defensive coordinator vacancies with the Chargers and Cardinals. He also served as a defensive coordinator at the 2023 Senior Bowl, an annual showcase for top college prospects.

Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick was among those who recommended Covington for the job, which he ran with, according to Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy.

“He did a great job from a command and authoritative standpoint, and having juice and everything you would look for in a leadership role. He had that stuff,” Nagy said. “And I thought he did a really good job. There were no hiccups during the week. .. And watching him out at practice, he did a great job. And that’s not easy.”

Covington was one of five candidates to interview for the Patriots’ defensive coordinator position, along with Panthers outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu, Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker, Saints linebackers coach Michael Hodges and new Raiders safeties coach Gerald Alexander, who at the time worked on the Steelers’ staff. Of those candidates, Covington was the only one with experience in New England as a coach or player. Covington overlapped with Hodges at Eastern Illinois, where they served as co-defensive coordinators in 2016, their last years before entering the NFL.

It’s unknown how the Patriots’ defensive staff will take shape under Mayo and Covington. Mayo has extended offers to keep former defensive play-caller Steve Belichick and safeties coach Brian Belichick on staff. He may try to lure Hodges, a rising coach in his own right, to New England to work again with Covington.

Mayo has repeatedly stressed he wants assistants who develop talent. Covington has established a strong track record in that department, between Wise (29 career sacks) and defensive tackle Christian Barmore, among others. Covington has also commanded the respect of longtime veterans, who cite his well-rounded understanding of the defense and teaching ability as rare qualities.

“Most coaches in the league, they expect you to know (techniques) coming out of college. But if somebody doesn’t know it, you have to teach them. And he’s able to teach everything,” Pats nose tackle Davon Godchaux told the Herald. “Most (coaches) can talk about it, but they can’t do it. And my first year here, he was doing that. That amazed me and just tells you how smart he is.”

Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai added: “He knows how to adapt to certain players. He knows that we’re professionals, and grown men, so he’ll treat us like men. And when the decision comes, he’ll make the right one about who should be out there on the field.”

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Covington entered the coaching ranks after playing wide receiver at Samford, an FCS school in his native Alabama. He first served as defensive graduate assistant at UAB, then made a lateral move to Ole Miss for two seasons. Covington accepted his first position coach job in 2015, serving as the defensive line coach at UT Martin. He then moved onto Eastern Illinois for one season before arriving in New England.

Belichick offered his highest public praise for Covington during a midseason press conference in 2022.

“DeMarcus does a really good job,” Belichick said. “He’s coached linebackers, coached defensive line, really understands the entire defense. I’m sure he could coach a lot of positions on defense. Young guy that’s really smart, works hard. Has worked with, again, a lot of different types of players, even on our defensive line. That difference between our interior guys and our outside guys is quite distinct.

“Pass rush, pass coverage, interior run play, so forth. ... It’s a lot of different techniques to coach. He’s very well versed in the fundamentals and schemes. He does a good job. Really glad we have him.”

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Since Covington became a position coach and Mayo joined the coaching staff in 2019, the Patriots have fielded the NFL’s best defense by Expected Points Added (EPA). The Pats have also ranked among the league’s best run defenses, including a No. 1 ranking last year in yards allowed per carry (3.3).

Like Belichick, Mayo praised Covington for his work during a trying 2022 season. He called Covington “a huge resource” for the Patriots, roughly a year before promoting him to one of the most important positions on staff.

“He’s taught me a lot,” Mayo told reporters. “He’s climbed the ranks so he’s seen it all from drawing cards to running a room. He’s one of those guys that really tries to gain the heart, the mind and the soul of the players. I think all the guys respect him.”

Sports Illustrated first reported Covington’s expected promotion.