With Kraft Scandal Ongoing, Patriots “Character Coach” Leaves Team

New England's owner's solicitation arrest did not sit well with Jack Easterby.

TEMPE, AZ - JANUARY 30:  Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Jack Easterby during the New England Patriots Super Bowl XLIX Practice on January 30, 2015 at the Arizona Cardinals Practice Facility in Tempe, Arizona.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - JANUARY 30: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Jack Easterby during the New England Patriots Super Bowl XLIX Practice on January 30, 2015 at the Arizona Cardinals Practice Facility in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Aaron Hernandez … Deflategate … Josh Gordon.

And now, Robert Kraft and the Orchids of Asia Day Spa.

Apparently, Jack Easterby, the character coach of the New England Patriots, has had enough.

Following six seasons of working for the Patriots and serving as one of head coach Bill Belichick’s closest confidants, Easterby is leaving the team to pursue other opportunities in football, according to the Boston Globe.

Besides serving as a resource for Belichick, Easterby did a lot for the Patriots and players on the team.

“Lots of things… Teacher, listener, someone you can lean on,” right tackle Marcus Cannon explained. “He’s just that guy, when you’re going through something – every day you see him happy, ready to help anybody. That’s just the type of guy he is. He likes everybody as a person.”

It’s no coincidence Easterby’s departure comes in the wake of the scandal involving Robert Kraft as the owner’s solicitation arrest did not sit well with him.

Though he wasn’t involved with the X’s and O’s on the field, losing Easterby is a blow to the team’s chemistry.

He’s also the seventh New England coach to leave this offseason.

One of those coaches, Brian Flores, left to take the Miami Dolphins head coaching job and brought three other Patriots position coaches with him. It’s possible that Easterby will wind up on South Beach.

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