FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Bill Belichick has added a new position to his coaching staff this year, and has hired one of college football's more recognized coaches to fill it, Bret Bielema.
Bielema, the former Arkansas head coach, is joining the Patriots as a "consultant to the head coach" in 2018.
Belichick hadn't announced Bielema's role in June, although Bielema was already working with the team at that time. During spring practices, he spent notable time working with special-teams units.
Bielema had been fired as Arkansas coach in November after five seasons. He was 29-34 with the Razorbacks (11-29 in the SEC).