German Engineering: New England Patriots Resort to Backup Offensive Line Coach in Frankfurt
In the midst of one of their most painful seasons in decades ... literally and figuratively ... the New England Patriots have added another name to their injured list: head coach Bill Belichick confirmed this week that offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is out for the foreseeable future due to an unspecified medical issue.
Klemm's departure temporarily puts assistant offensive line coach Billy Yates in charge of the blockers. His first game at the helm lands on Sunday morning when the Patriots (2-7) battle the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network).
Yates, 43, is in the midst of his third season on Belichick's staff. His proteges offered him a vote of confidence as he embarks on this unusual journey, all while wishing the best for the first-year New Englander Klemm.
Billy Yates during the Patriots' win in Arizona in 2022.
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“I think he always does a great job," center David Andrews said of Yates, per Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit. "Definitely thoughts and prayers with AK, but we’re having a good group of guys handling it maturely and just try to move forward each week.
“I got a good rapport with Billy, I think we all do,” guard Cole Strange added. “It will be seamless."
Like Klemm, Yates has extensive experience in New England's blocking affairs, having spent five years (2004-08) with a Flying Elvis on his helmet. Yates was on the New England roster for their victorious run to Super Bowl XXXIX after spending his rookie campaign with the Miami Dolphins. Two more years in Cleveland awaited before he entered the coaching realm, starting off as the strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater Texas A&M.
This is Yates' second tenure on the Patriots' sidelines, having previously worked with the team on a Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship in 2015. Prior to his New England re-entry, Yates spent three seasons on Detroit's staff.
In New England lore, Yates is perhaps best known for an unexpected start in a 2006 Monday night game against Minnesota, coming just over a week after he was promoted from the practice squad in the wake of numerous injuries to blockers. New England amassed 430 yards in the 31-7 victory, leading Belichick to label Yates a "tough kid" in the aftermath.
