The Patriots have appointed a new special teams coach, hiring an assistant from the Rams.

Changes to New England’s coaching staff have already commenced.

Jerod Mayo is bringing in a new addition to his coaching staff in New England.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are hiring Jeremy Springer, currently the assistant special teams coach with the Los Angeles Rams, as their new special teams coordinator. Springer went through two interviews with the Patriots, including an in-person meeting over the weekend. He has spent two seasons on the Rams’ coaching staff under Sean McVay after eight years in college football, including stints at Texas A&M, Arizona (where he worked with former Patriots running back and return specialist J.J. Taylor), and Marshall.

With this move, Mayo has now filled two of the three crucial assistant roles, as defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington is reportedly set to become the defensive coordinator. However, the most significant position of offensive coordinator is still vacant as the Patriots continue their search, aiming to improve their offensive performance after finishing tied for last in points per game last season (13.9).

Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley had an in-person interview with the Patriots over the weekend and is reportedly in a favorable position among candidates for the offensive coordinator role in New England. If hired, this would mean Jerod Mayo might bring in two former Rams staffers to join the Patriots.

In his new role, Jeremy Springer will face the challenge of enhancing a Patriots special teams unit that ranked 28th in special teams DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average) under the guidance of former special teams coordinator Cam Achord.