New England Patriots

The Patriots added another Belichick to the payroll

Published Jul. 22, 2016 4:30 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

Although the New England Patriots will be without quarterback Tom Brady for the first four weeks of the 2016 NFL season, there is some good news.

On Friday, the Patriots confirmed that head coach Bill Belichick's youngest son, Brian, was officially joining the team as a scouting assistant, according to ESPN. Brian will join his brother Steve, who was hired in a full-time capacity by New England in March of this year.

Bill Belichick (right) with Steve earlier this year.

Via ESPN.com:

Now, I know what you're thinking — and no, Cole Popovich is not related to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who has praised Belichick and the Patriots as a model organization.

While this is the first time Belichick's sons will officially be part of his team, both Steve and Brian have been hanging around the Patriots for a few years now. Like in 2010, when Brian was photographed on the sidelines of a Patriots practice:

Earlier this year, Steve Belichick talked about what it's like to work for his dad, whom he called his "role model" (via Boston Globe):

Of course, Steve already has that Belichick-ian attitude down pat:

That makes three generations of coaches in the Belichick family, as Bill's father, Steve, played for the Detroit Lions and served as an assistant coach with the Naval Academy, which proved influential in the Patriots head coach's career path.

Bill Belichick with his son Brian Belichick, during practice at the Gillette Stadium practice fields in 2010.

Great pic from Nancy Lane yesterday. Pats DC Matt Patricia looking lonely as reporters mob new coach Steve Belichick pic.twitter.com/h0yNkdcwaK
— Mark J. Murphy (@murphmj) May 3, 2016