Who is Zak Kuhr? What to know about Patriots defensive caller mystifying offenses

In year one of the Mike Vrabel era, the New England Patriots have one of the best defenses in the NFL. 

Under the leadership of their former Hall of Fame linebacker, the unit has undergone a violent transformation. By instilling a culture of physicality and aggression similar to the "Patriot Way" of his playing days, Vrabel has maximized a roster bolstered by key additions like defensive tackle Milton Williams and linebacker Robert Spillane.

This defensive resurgence has been the backbone of a remarkable 14–3 campaign that saw New England reclaim the AFC East title. While rookie quarterback Drake Maye has provided the offensive sparks, it is the defense's ability to neutralize elite opponents — highlighted by a dominant 16–3 Wild Card victory over the Chargers — that has transformed the Patriots into Super Bowl favorites. Vrabel’s squad looks every bit like a unit capable of carrying the franchise back to its championship roots.

Though, Vrabel nor the team's defensive coordinator is not the one calling the plays for the elite unit. Meet Zak Kuhr, the man behind the madness in Foxborough.

MORE: Revisiting Mike Vrabel's playing career in NFL

Who is the Patriots defensive coordinator?

New England's defensive coordinator for the 2025–2026 season is Terrell Williams.

A longtime lieutenant of Vrabel, Williams was hired in January 2025 to lead the defense after previously serving as Vrabel's defensive line coach and assistant head coach with the Tennessee Titans. Though, while Williams holds the official title, the Patriots' defensive leadership has been a collaborative effort this season due to significant health challenges.

Williams has spent much of the 2025 season focusing on his battle with prostate cancer. Though he has remained involved in game planning and strategy, he has frequently been away from the team for treatment. 

In Williams' absence, Zak Kuhr has stepped up as the de facto defensive coordinator and primary play-caller on game days. He has received significant praise for maintaining the unit's elite performance during the team's 14–3 run.

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Who is Zak Kuhr?

Kuhr is the Inside Linebackers Coach for the New England Patriots, currently serving as the team's interim defensive play-caller.

At 37 years old, Kuhr has emerged as a breakout star on Mike Vrabel's staff. Originally hired to coach the linebackers, he was elevated to the role of de facto defensive coordinator early in the 2025 season after Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Someone who deserves a lot of credit but hasn’t gotten much nationally: Zak Kuhr. He was initially the Patriots’ ILBs coach and was thrust into the DC role after Terrell Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

This Patriots defense has answered the call — playing physical… https://t.co/yoyWECRzcH pic.twitter.com/jjKBtMKw8f

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 12, 2026

Kuhr is a Florida native and University of Florida graduate who took an unconventional path to defensive leadership. He spent nearly a decade coaching on the offensive side of the ball in the college ranks before transitioning to defense in the NFL.

"Going back to just having been an offensive coach, watched him work at Ohio State," Vrabel said earlier in the season. "When we were able to get him to Tennessee, how quickly he translated that knowledge to defense, how quickly he learned defense, and what an asset he was... Especially as some of those trends started to make their way to the NFL, some of the spread and the RPO. He really became an asset for us."

He joined Vrabel’s Titans staff in 2020 as a defensive quality control coach before moving to assistant inside linebackers coach. After Vrabel was fired by Tennessee, he spent the 2024 season as a defensive assistant for the New York Giants before reuniting with Vrabel in New England for the 2025 season.

MORE: Inside Mike Vrabel's playoff coaching career, wins

What happened to Terrell Williams?

Terrell Williams has been battling prostate cancer for the majority of the 2025–2026 NFL season.

Just after the season opener, coach Mike Vrabel announced that Williams had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He stepped away from the team temporarily to meet with specialists and begin an aggressive treatment plan. While he remains the official defensive coordinator, the diagnosis and subsequent treatment have significantly impacted his day-to-day role. 

The Patriots organization rallied around him throughout the season. Players wore "T-Strong" warm-up shirts, and Vrabel frequently wears a ribbon on his game-day vest to honor his longtime friend and colleague.

Patriots QB Drake Maye warming up in a "T Strong" shirt in honor of DC Terrell Williams, battling prostate cancer.

📹: @JenHale504 pic.twitter.com/SDjl8O3wVc

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 28, 2025

Williams was seen in the locker room and at practice during the week leading up to the Divisional Round game against the Texans. While he is not calling the plays on game day, he remains heavily involved in the "behind-the-scenes" game planning and defensive strategy.

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Patriots defensive rating 2025 

Under the dual leadership of Vrabel and interim play-caller Kuhr, the Patriots' defense finished the 2025 regular season as one of the most efficient and physically imposing units in the NFL.

They concluded the season ranked No. 4 in scoring defense, allowing just 18.8 points per game, and carried that momentum into the postseason by holding the Chargers to a season-low 3 points in the Wild Card round.