The New England Patriots have hired Joe McDonald, formerly the Boston Red Sox’s Director of Baseball Analytics, as their Senior Analyst, Football Strategy. McDonald, a Boston College graduate, spent his entire career in Major League Baseball before making the unexpected switch to the NFL.
The Patriots, coming off two consecutive 4-13 seasons, are looking to shake things up and bring in fresh perspectives. McDonald’s hiring is part of the team’s effort to beef up their analytics department under Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf.
McDonald’s move from baseball to football is not unprecedented. Former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres executive Paul DePodesta made a similar jump to the Cleveland Browns’ front office in 2016.
The Patriots’ hiring of McDonald may indicate a willingness to think outside the box and explore new approaches to football strategy. With the team looking to turn things around after a disappointing few seasons, McDonald’s analytical expertise could be a valuable asset.
