While the writing has been on the wall for several years, Nick Caserio did stay with the New England Patriots while other teams tried to lure him away. Now, however, one is successful: the Houston-Texans are expected to nominate the 45-year-old as their new general manager. Houston has tried to hire Caserio twice before, without it being necessary.
Caserio has been the director of staff for the Patriots since 2008 and was one of the architects of the team’s last three Super Bowl runs. Losing him, especially in an important season like this, is obviously a blow to New England, as the club will now have to occupy one of the highest positions in its front office.
Let’s look at what Caserio’s departure means for the Patriots and Texans.
Bill Belichick will have to get a new right hand
While officially listed as a director of player personnel, Caserio wore many hats during his time with the Patriots. He acted as de facto general manager with Bill Belichick and as such was actively involved in the draft and free agency – so much so that he worked out players during the pre-draft cycle, for example – and even sat on the coach’s stand . match day. Long story short, Caserio has fulfilled many roles.
Now the team will have to find a way to replace everyone. The most important work that has just been opened within the organization, however, can only be that of Belichick’s right hand man: Belichick trusted Caserio to move on his behalf and that of the Patriots, and although he still had the final say, he did give his director of player staff much freedom to do his job. The successor to Caserio will have to earn that trust.
The departure of Caserio could lead to more changes
The Texans bringing Caserio on board could impact New England on more than just one level; the team’s coaching staff may also now have a stir in Houston. The name to look at is, of course, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels joined the Patriots along with Caserio in 2001, and the two have since identified prominent roles in the team. However, their history goes back even further: the two were also fellow teammates at John Carroll – Caserio played quarterback, McDaniels wide receiver – and even shared a room on travel. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, McDaniels is not currently seen as a candidate to fill the Texans’ vacation division.
Also part of the John Carroll connection is Dave Ziegler, who was promoted to assistant director of player staff last year and is considered the leading candidate to take over for Caserio. Given his own long history with Caserio, he could also become a name to be seen as a potential delegate to Houston.
Houston decides to go back to the Patriots well
Caserio is not the first major addition by Houston to have a history with the Patriots. The team’s former general manager and head coach, Bill O’Brien, also hails from New England, albeit via Penn State: he spent five years with the Patriots, including as offensive coordinator in 2011. But despite the fact that the O’Brien’s tenure to a disappointing end – he was sacked after the team’s 0-4 start this year – the Texans feel confident to go along with another Bill Belichick acolyte.
How big a role Jack Easterby played in the decision is not known, but it would not be surprising if he campaigned for the appointment of Caserio. Of course, Easterby left New England for Houston in February 2019 and played a central role in the tampering the Patriots filed against the Texans last year.
The list of six-time champions in New England is shrinking
A year after Tom Brady, the longtime starting quarterback, lost, the Patriots will now see another member of their “Six Super Bowl ring club” leave. Caserio was part of the organization during his dynastic series in the 2000s and 2010s, winning his first three championship rings as a staff assistant, area scout and director of pro-personnel, respectively, before adding three in his most recent position.
He’s gone now, and the Patriots’ soccer staff has only six world champions left:
- Head coach Bill Belichick
- Ivan Fears, coach for running rugby
- Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels
- Director of Exploration Administration Nancy Meier
- Brian Smith, Director of College Exploration
- Director of Research Richard Miller
- Information Technology Specialist Dan Famosi
- Director of Football / Head Coach Administration Berj Najarian
- Soccer Research Director Ernie Adams
- Video Director Jimmy Dee
- Assistant Video Director Fernando Neto
Team ownership – especially CEO Robert Kraft and President Jonathan Kraft – also belongs to the club, although it does not fall under the “football staff” category, given its unique position in the franchise.