Patriots DC Zak Kuhr's Motivation Stems From Two Important Things
Patriots DC Zak Kuhr's Motivation Stems From Two Important Things
The first-year defensive coordinator has risen through the coaching ranks, and is now settling in with the New England Patriots.Ethan Hurwitz|
In this story:
New England PatriotsAfter defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had to step away from the team, New England Patriots inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr was thrown into a really tough position in 2025.
He had never called plays before at the NFL level and had never earned the title of coordinator at any of the stops he had prior to New England. Despite that, head coach Mike Vrabel trusted him to handle the playcalling duties last season.
To say that he passed that test with flying colors would be the understatement of a lifetime. The Patriots' defense flew around the field and rattled off 17 total wins en route to Super Bowl LX. Plenty of that is because of the coaching of Kuhr, who was promoted to the full-time defensive coordinator role this past offseason.
Kuhr has expressed plenty of gratitude in the promotion, one that no one really saw as a surprise. After all, he had done so well that it would have been almost impossible to take the playsheet out of his hands at this point.
Now the 38-year-old Kuhr is relishing in his new title, but with several chips on his shoulder as he embarks on the new journey. Speaking to reporters during mandatory minicamp last month, Kuhr mentioned the two things that keep him going.
Kuhr Finds Doubt To Be Motivating
"There’s two things that really motivate me -- belief and doubt," Kuhr said. "The people that believe in me, I go that much harder for them. I truly believe that Vrabes believes in me. Terrell, everybody on the staff. And then truly the people that doubt me drive me that much as well. When I hear that (doubt), and I hear that, 'Hey, we believe in you.' Yes, it drives me, absolutely."
The Patriots got plenty of contributions from their defensive stars last year, including Milton Williams, Marcus Jones and Christian Gonzalez. They also got the best out of some under-the-radar players, including rookie safety Craig Woodson, his position mate Jaylinn Hawkins and defensive tackle Cory Durden.
Now after a few bad seasons, the Patriots are back in full force. That defensive unit, one that was among the league's elite in the postseason, is bound to make noise, even with plenty of personnel changes. Big names on last year's squad, including Khyiris Tonga, K'Lavon Chaisson and Jack Gibbens, are all gone. Seeing how Kuhr will get the most out of their replacements will be fascinating ... and could lead to more promotion talk.
In a recent Pro Football Focus article, Kuhr was mentioned on a shortlist of assistants who could make noise as potential head coaching candidates in the near future. While that may be a bit premature at the moment, it's not out of the realm of possibilities. If he can put together another campaign like he did a year ago, the chatter surrounding yet another step up on the ladder will only start to build across the NFL.
"Kuhr’s defense was especially suffocating in the postseason, permitting only three touchdowns on 49 drives courtesy of a staggering 50.3% pressure rate and a 43.5% blitz rate," PFF's Bradley Locker wrote. "If New England can sustain that kind of dominant defense in 2026 with some new faces — and improve its defensive line play — then the 38-year-old Kuhr might be poised for a leap."
Could He Be In Line For HC Jobs In The Future?
Kuhr has kept a level head during the new title change. It also helps that most of the coaching staff from a season ago is still in place. Vinny DePalma, who was a defensive assistant, took over for Kuhr at inside linebackers. Williams is now titled "assistant head coach." It's a group effort when it comes to the Patriots defense in 2026, and Kuhr is leaning into that headspace.
"I wouldn’t say it’s what I want to do. I always use the word 'we.' It’s what we want to do," Kuhr said. "I don’t think there’s a lot of difference from last year to this year as far as the staff collaboration. We did that last year and continue to do so. It’s a lot of different ideas, not just me. I would say it’s pretty smooth going. We have a lot of experience with each other. After last year, we riffed off each other pretty well.
"We’ve had some good ideas, and this is the best time right now to try that stuff out in the lab, out there on the field."
Published 36 minutes ago
ETHAN HURWITZEthan Hurwitz is a writer for Patriots on SI. He works to find out-of-the-box stories that change the way you look at sports. He’s covered the behind-the-scenes discussions behind Ivy League football, how a stuffed animal helped a softball team’s playoff chances and tracked down a fan who caught a historic hockey stick. Ethan graduated from Quinnipiac University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism, and oversaw The Quinnipiac Chronicle’s sports coverage for almost three years.
Follow HurwitzSportsBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
