FOXBORO — Dont’a Hightower is a Patriots icon. A three-time Super Bowl winner. One of the best defensive players in franchise history.

He’s also the new guy, navigating an unfamiliar role with an unexpected set of responsibilities.

Two years after he played his final game as an NFL player, Hightower was hired in February to be the inside linebackers coach on Jerod Mayo’s inaugural staff.

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The 34-year-old is coaching a veteran-laden position group that includes ex-teammates Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan. His leadership traits and knowledge of the game are unquestioned, but the actual rhythms of being a coach, not a player, have taken some getting used to.

“He came to me this morning asking for advice, and I was like, ‘Welcome to coaching,’ ” said Mayo, who played with Hightower for four seasons and later served as his position coach. “As much as you think it’s about X’s and O’s and getting guys to play hard for you, it’s also a leadership role. I mean, I’m a huge believer in you manage processes, you don’t manage people — you lead people.

“We bounced some ideas off of each other, but he has to come up with his own philosophy in the way he deals with things, so it’s been good for him. He should apologize to me, when I coached him, he kind of gave me those same headaches.”

Hightower said there’s “obviously a learning curve” to his new position, and he’s leaning on Mayo and New England’s veteran assistants for guidance. He’s thrilled to be back around the game, however, after not playing during the 2022 season and then officially retiring in March 2023.

“No cap, I missed it whenever I walked away,” Hightower said.  “… I was still at home texting Bent and (Elandon Roberts) and Kwon and everybody throughout the game like, ‘What were you doing here?’ So I guess I’ve kind of been (coaching) for a while now, but it feels good to be in this spot now.”