FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —
A key member of the coaching staff that kickstarted the New England Patriots dynasty is retiring.
Romeo Crennel, who won three Super Bowl titles with the Patriots as an assistant, announced his retirement on Monday.
Crennel served as Bill Belichick's defensive coordinator from 2001 through 2004. New England won three championships in those four seasons.
He also had a previous four-year stint with the Patriots, working as the team's defensive line coach from 1993 through 1996 under Hall of Famer Bill Parcells. New England made a Super Bowl appearance in that final season, ultimately falling to the Green Bay Packers.