The Patriots and new head coach Jerod Mayo are interviewing Panthers linebackers coach Tem Lukabu for their defensive coordinator position, the NFL Network reported Monday.

Lukabu, 42, just completed his first season in Carolina and previously served as the defensive coordinator at Boston College from 2020-22. Lukabu has spent most of his career coaching linebackers — including one season as the Bengals’ linebackers coach in 2019 — but he’s also worked with defensive backs and defensive linemen. His resume includes four years under Bill Belichick confidant Greg Schiano, both at Rutgers and with the Buccaneers, giving him some overlap with Mayo; as a fellow ex-college linebacker who’s coached similar techniques and schemes.

Lukabu’s interview indicates the Patriots intend to name a defensive coordinator for the first time since 2017. His interview would also satisfy league rules mandating teams meet with one external, minority candidate for coordinator positions. Aside from his single seasons in Carolina and Cincinnati, Lukabu’s only other NFL experience consists of two years as a defensive quality control coach in San Francisco from 2016-17.

If Mayo expects to lose defensive assistants to other teams in the coming weeks, it’s possible these interviews could allow him to recruit potential position coaches. Last year, the Patriots interviewed Adrian Klemm for their offensive coordinator position before ultimately hiring Bill O’Brien for that job and later Klemm as their offensive line coach.

Earlier Monday, Sports Illustrated reported Mayo has already extended offers to defensive play-caller/linebackers coach Steve Belichick and safeties coach Brian Belichick to remain in New England. It’s unknown whether either or both of Bill Belichick’s sons will follow their father to another team, if Bill Belichick accepts a head-coaching job in the coming weeks.

Steve Belichick and defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington are the top internal candidates to become the Patriots’ next defensive coordinator, should either or both of them choose to stay.