New England Patriots Rehire Former Assistant Coach Brian Daboll

ESPN is reporting that Brian Daboll, a Patriots assistant during Bill Belichick’s first seven seasons in New England, is returning to the team.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick announced the hiring on Monday, adding that Daboll’s role with the team hasn’t been specified yet.

“[It’s] similar to what Josh did last year but without any specific responsibility at this time,” Belichick said in announcing the move during Monday’s conference call with reporters. “As soon as we get that worked out, he’ll be part of our coaching staff going forward.”

Daboll,37, has a long history with coach Belichick and the Patriots.

After starting with the team as a defensive assistant during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, Daboll eventually moved into to a role as wide receivers coach, which he held from 2002 to 2006.

“It’s great to have Brian back,” Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said of Daboll’s rehiring. “He’s a very good football coach, very knowledgeable and can help us in a lot of different ways. Certainly having another set of eyes with experience and has a lot of understanding of our system and how we go about doing things, I think, is only a positive for us and can help our football team going forward. I look forward to doing that with Brian.”

Following his stint in New England, Brian joined the staff of head coach Eric Mangini with the Jets and served as quarterbacks coach in 2007-08.

Later in his career, Daboll served as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns (2009-10), Miami Dolphins (2011) and Kansas City Chiefs (2012).