Patriots Announce New Personnel Chief After Dave Ziegler’s Departure

It’s been finally revealed who will be leading the New England Patriots’ personnel department in 2022.

The Patriots announced Tuesday that college scouting director Matt Groh had been promoted to director of player personnel. This role is the second-in-command position behind head coach/de facto general manager Bill Belichick. Groh will be replacing Dave Ziegler, who left to join Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas as Raiders GM.

Matt Groh named Director of Player Personnel: https://t.co/mcWWjMAMWN

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 15, 2022

A Hingham, Mass., native, Groh has been with the Patriots since 2011. He began as a scouting assistant before spending six seasons as an area scout, two as a national scout and one as director of college scouting.

Last offseason, Groh had a massive input in the Patriots’ retooled NFL draft approach, which was described as “different” and “more collaborative.” A behind-the-scenes video from inside New England’s draft room showed Belichick consulting with both Ziegler and Groh before the team selected quarterback Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick.

“We’re all good with this?” Belichick asked his top lieutenants. “… Matt, you’re good with this?”

“All of New England is really happy with this pick.”

Inside the #PatsDraft room the moment @MacJones_10 became a Patriot. pic.twitter.com/szRjnmnPe7

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 30, 2021

The Patriots later got defensive tackle Christian Barmore in the second round and running back Rhamondre Stevenson in the fourth.

“They’ve done a ton of work, and their respective staffs that they oversee, as well,” Belichick said of Ziegler, Groh and Wolf before last year’s draft. “But in particular, those three guys have really done a tremendous amount of work, evaluation, organization and have done a great job of putting things together. So it’s been great to spend a lot of time with them and to go through the process.”

Groh’s father, Al, coached in the NFL and college for decades, including stints with Belichick in New York (Giants and Jets), Cleveland and New England. His brother, Mike, is the Giants’ wide receivers coach.