FOXBORO — Dean Pees had already carved out a nice niche for himself in Ohio as the head football coach at Kent State University. Why leave relative serenity in one’s 50s for the high-pressure world of pro football?

"It’s New England," the Patriots’ new defensive coordinator said Friday. "I don’t know who wouldn’t give up what they had to come here and be part of this organization. In talking to Bill (Belichick), I just thought it was a good time for me professionally and an unbelievable opportunity for me to come to what I believe is a very special organization."