Oregon set to lose offensive line coach Adrian Klemm to NFL

Oregon offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is taking the same job with the New England Patriots, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported on Monday.

New England's pursuit of Klemm became news last month, but Dan Lanning told the public during Oregon's signing day press availability that he did not expect any staff changes, implying Klemm had turned down New England's pursuit.

Thamel's report Monday notes that Klemm is set to receive a raise in New England, so it seems likely that the Patriots came back to Klemm over the weekend with an offer he couldn't refuse. 

Klemm was already well-compensated as Oregon's associate head coach and run game coordinator in addition to handling the offensive line. He earned $800,000 in 2022 and was set to make $850,000 in 2023.

For New England, the move is part of a larger effort by Bill Belichick to "professionalize" his offensive staff, by hiring two college coaches. Matt Patricia, a career defensive coach, handled the Patriots' offensive line while calling plays in 2022. Moving forward, the Pats will have Bill O'Brien running the offense with Klemm handing the line.

Like O'Brien, Klemm also has previous ties to the organization. He was a Pats O-lineman himself from 2000-04, helping the team win three Super Bowls in his five seasons. 

Klemm spent 2019-21 as the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line coach before returning to the college game as a major cog on Lanning's staff. His loss will be a painful one for Oregon. 

Oregon surrendered 0.39 sacks per game, the fewest by a non-academy team in a non-pandemic season since Toledo in 2015. Klemm was also a highly regarded recruiter.

Lanning also lost offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham this winter to the head coaching position at Arizona State. Oregon replaced Dillingham with UTSA offensive coordinator Will Stein; Stein may lobby to bring UTSA offensive line coach Matt Mattox to Eugene, but Mattox took the O-line position on Ryan Walters' new Purdue staff last month.

As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.