Patriots Special Teams Coach Scott O’Brien Will Retire

As the Patriots returned to New England following their victory in Super Bowl XLIX, one of their coaches has decided to go out on top.

Special teams coach Scott O’Brien will retire from coaching, the team announced on Tuesday. O’Brien will remain in the organization in a role not yet announced.

“I have never worked with a coach better than Scott O’Brien,” head coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “Scott is second to none at preparation, strategy, teaching, techniques, fundamentals, scouting and virtually any other aspect of teambuilding, game planning or player development that exists in football. I thank Scott for making me a better coach, finding and developing countless players and being such a tremendous asset at both organizations we worked together.

“Scott O’Brien is undoubtedly one of the finest coaches of his generation and he deserves having his final game be a Super Bowl championship. While we will miss his contributions in coaching, we look forward to continuing to work with him in other capacities.”

O’Brien was originally hired by Belichick as special teams coach with the Cleveland Browns in 1991, remaining in the organization through 1998, including their move to Baltimore. After coaching with the Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos, O’Brien re-joined Belichick in 2009.

Special teams assistant Joe Judge will fill the vacancy left by O’Brien; he was hired by the team as an assistant in 2012.