Pats Pulpit
The Patriots have created a new position on their staff.
Even with offseason workouts in full swing, the New England Patriots are not done building their team on and off the field. Their latest addition comes in the form of a newly-created staff role.
Ekene Olekanma, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, has joined the team as its new director of coaching analytics. ESPN’s Seth Walder was first to report the hire.
Olekanma spent the last three years with the 49ers, whom he joined after a one-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens.
In San Francisco, he initially worked as football research and development analyst before being promoted to R&D coordinator. According to Kyle Posey of Niners Nation, he was responsible for “analytical projects for the coaching staff, including self-scouting and opponent research” as well as creating metrics and evaluating players.
Before making the move to the NFL as a coaching research and development analyst fellow with the Ravens, Olekanma spent five years at the University of the Toledo. Besides appearing in 47 games for the Rockets as a linebacker, he also studied bioengineering and biomedical engineering.
He later added a master’s degree in data science, graduating with distinction from DePaul University College of Computing and Digital Media in 2021.
Now with the Patriots, his job title suggests that he will closely work with head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff. Olekanma will be part of an analytics team that includes vice president of football operations and strategy John Streicher, director of football strategy Marshall Oium, and director of research Richard Miller.
