The Patriots have hired Giants defensive assistant Zak Kuhr, according to reports.

Kuhr previously worked with Mike Vrabel when he was an intern at Ohio State (2011-12) and later a quality control coach in Tennessee, where he spent four seasons. Kuhr joined Vrabel’s Titans staff in 2020, then received a promotion to inside linebackers coach the following season. He held that title until Vrabel was fired in Jan. 2024.

Between those stints, Kuhr bounced around the college ranks from Old Dominion to James Madison, Rutgers, Texas State and Texas. He coached running backs at multiple programs and eventually topped out as the assistant head coach at Texas. Kuhr also briefly served as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Texas State.

Kuhr’s arrival could mean the Patriots do not intend to retain inside linebackers coach Dont’a Hightower, who had never coached before joining Jerod Mayo’s staff as the inside linebackers coach last year.

Kuhr is the latest ex-Titans coach to reunite with Vrabel, following defensive coordinator Terrell Williams and running backs Tony Dews.

The New York Post first reported Kuhr’s arrival in New England.