Pats Pulpit
Kugler will be one of two Patriots assistants to coach at the pre-draft showcase.
While several members of the New England Patriots’ offensive coaching staff will not be back with the club in 2025, one of them will be representing the team at the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl. Robert Kugler, the team’s assistant offensive line coach last season, will serve in a similar capacity at the pre-draft showcase.
Kugler was announced as one of two Patriots coaches to work at the Shrine Bowl. He will coach the offensive line for the East team, with outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins set to serve as its defensive coordinator.
What those assignments mean for their outlook under the Patriots’ newly-hired head coach, Mike Vrabel, remains to be seen. Neither Kugler nor Wilkins were listed among the recently-reported departures from the coaching staff.
Kugler, 32, arrived in New England last offseason to serve as assistant to new O-line coach Scott Peters. Before joining the Patriots, he held the same role for the Carolina Panthers (2022-23) and Houston Texans (2021). Prior to moving to the NFL, he worked at Appalachian State (2020), Washington (2018-19) and UTEP (2017).
A former offensive lineman himself, Kugler started 43 games as a center at Purdue. He went undrafted in 2016, spending training camp with the Buffalo Bills.
The 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl, the 100th edition of the game, will be played on Thursday, Jan. 30, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
