The East-West Shrine Bowl announced their coaching staff selections for this year’s iteration of the game. The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons will serve as the 2023 Shrine Bowl coaching staffs, sources confirm to Pro Football Network.
Falcons, Patriots Are 2023 Shrine Bowl Coaching Staffs
It was just a few months ago when news broke that the Shrine Bowl would be the only pre-draft college all-star game to feature two full NFL coaching staffs. With the top of the 2023 NFL Draft order set, it was just a matter of time before teams jumped at the opportunity to coach at the event.
The Patriots – led by head coach and de facto general manager Bill Belichick – will coach one side, while the Falcons – led by head coach Arthur Smith – will lead the other. Both teams will bring their full staffs with them to Las Vegas this year, marking a seismic shift in the pre-draft process for teams, franchises, and ultimately, the prospects themselves.
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While the top of the draft is likely to feature underclassmen heavily, the rosters built for the 2023 Shrine Bowl will give the Patriots and Falcons a unique look at potential Day 2 and 3 prospects.
The Patriots were available to coach after missing the playoffs for just the third time in two decades. They have 11 draft picks, including eight Day 3 selections. Their needs include wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker, edge defender, and defensive tackle.
The Patriots in 2022 selected Shrine Game alum wide receiver Tyquan Thornton in the second round (50th overall), making him the game’s highest draft pick in years. The last time a Shrine player went in Round 2? Jimmy Garoppolo, taken by New England in 2012.
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The Patriots drafted three other Shrine players in 2022: CB Jack Jones (Round 4, Pick 121), RB Pierre Strong (Round 4, Pick 127), and DL Sam Roberts (Round 6, Pick 200).
As for the Falcons, eight is the lucky number this offseason. They own eight picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including the eighth overall. Five of those eight selections are on Day 3. Their five biggest needs? Quarterback, wide receiver, EDGE, cornerback, and guard.
Two Falcons defensive assistants will coach the game for the second straight year. Defensive assistant Lanier Goethie served as the East team’s defensive line coach. Nick Perry – an assistant DBs coach – was responsible for the defensive backs for the West team.
Pro Football Network NFL Director Adam Beasley contributed to this report.