FOXBOROUGH — Let’s start with the obvious: John “Stretch” Streicher isn’t Ernie Adams.
“Stretch is probably a little more … he’s got a little bit better sense of humor than Ernie Adams,” said Mike Vrabel, who made Streicher one of his first hires when he became coach of the Patriots in January.
There’s an easy line to draw between Adams, who served as Bill Belichick’s football research director for several years, and Streicher, who was named vice president of football operations and strategy. Both have a deep and abiding relationship with their coaches, both have rare football minds, and both operate (or operated) mostly out of the public eye.
But that does a disservice to both, particularly Streicher. The 35-year-old is a rangy 6-foot-7-inch former high school basketball player who defines the term “football multitasker.”
Whether it’s engaging with players while bouncing from one position group to another, taking notes and relaying information to and from the head coach, or keeping a close eye on a drill, Streicher has versatility as a coach and administrator.
You combine that with an already impressive résumé, a thirst for innovation, and a world-class ability when it comes to recall, and it’s easy to understand why he’s already considered “a rising star” in the NFL, according to Rams coach Sean McVay.
“This guy has checked every box, and continues to progress in his career,” said McVay, who had Streicher as the Rams’ game-management coordinator for the 2024 season. “He’s made a tremendous difference, a tremendous impact with everyone he’s around. He’s absolutely someone who is a rising star in this profession.
“I think that what you understand about Ernie, there’s a respect and influence and reverence, and you saw that in how much Bill relied on him because of how smart and informed Ernie was. I never met Ernie, but I can say that when you look at Stretch and his ability to impact change, there’s some comparison here. His ability to understand the game from an all-22 perspective is an incredible tool.”
Streicher speaks cautiously but warmly, with a certain Midwestern ease. Talking to him for a few moments, it’s easy to see why he’s developed a legion of fiercely loyal supporters. When approached for comment for this story, at least one of his friends checked with Streicher to see if it was OK.
“He’s such a great person,” said Everett Withers, a coach who worked with Streicher at multiple stops, including Ohio State. “And he knows his [stuff].”
Streicher’s relationship with Vrabel is at the heart of his football journey.
“He’s meant a lot to me,” said Vrabel, who called Streicher his “best friend” in 2022. “He’s meant a lot to the success that we had in Tennessee. His growth, in this business of NFL football, the connections that he makes with our staff and our players.
“They know that he’s an extension of me. If they need to, maybe they don’t have a strong enough connection with me to say something, they’ll certainly be able to find an avenue with Stretch as a point of contact.”
‘He had all the facts’
As a teenager, Streicher was more into basketball than football.
A native of Cincinnati, he played two years on varsity at Oak Hill High School. His high school coach, Mike Price, said Streicher considered a partial scholarship to Marian University, but opted to attend Ohio State.
Streicher didn’t play in college. He started as an equipment manager for the Buckeyes, and became a student assistant coach before graduating in 2012 with a degree in animal science. (He added a graduate degree two years later in community leadership.)
Each assistant coach had an assistant of their own. Ron Miles, who went on to work as a Patriots scouting assistant, was with Vrabel; Streicher was paired with Withers, who coached at Ohio State from 2012-13.
While other student assistants were able to land some extra amenities — Jen Vrabel made sure Miles had an inflatable bed, for example — Streicher found other accommodations.
“Stretch lived in a damn broom closet,” Withers said.
It was that sort of sacrifice that distinguished Streicher in Columbus. And while people praised his willingness to embrace the grunt work, it was his ability to remember everything that allowed him to stand out.
“We all know the guys who are like the ‘Stump the Schwab’ guys,” said Tyler Carpenter, who became friendly with Streicher when the two were together as student managers. “He was one of those guys. He had all the facts.”
Streicher’s connection with Vrabel was cemented when the former Patriots linebacker would spend Tuesday nights in the office talking football. That progressed to having Streicher and Miles house-sit for Vrabel when the coach would take his family to baseball tournaments.
The moment Miles realized Streicher was a different breed was at the end of the 2013 Ohio State-Michigan game. The Wolverines scored with 32 seconds left to cut the Buckeyes’ lead to 42-41, and were set to go for 2. Miles said Streicher was able to recall earlier in the year when Michigan was in the same spot.
“We called the coverage that rolled a safety down to that side of the field, and [Tyvis Powell] was right there,” Miles said. “We came away with an interception that ended the game.
“I remember thinking, ‘Son of a gun, this dude is going to be good.’ ”
Learning and growing
While Vrabel left to join the Texans, Streicher followed Withers from Ohio State to James Madison in 2014, and to Texas State two years after that. Every step was marked with an innovative approach, a fastidious attention to detail, and that same upbeat attitude.
But there was always the understanding among everyone that when — not if — Vrabel became a head coach, Streicher would be one of his first hires.
So when Vrabel was named head coach of the Titans in 2018, Withers wasn’t surprised Vrabel reached out.
“I knew exactly what the call was about,” Withers said. “I think Mike — all along — had an eye on Stretch, that when something came up bigger than what I could offer, then Mike was going to come to him.”
Streicher spent six seasons in Tennessee from 2018-23, leaving his fingerprints in just about every aspect of the operation. He dissected game film with players, managed coaches’ schedules, and even stepped in for Vrabel on the sideline when he was out with COVID in 2021.
But that journey came to an end when Vrabel was fired in January 2024. Vrabel spent a year as a consultant with the Browns while Streicher took a job with McVay and the Rams.
“He’s so smart, and has such great wisdom and poise for his age,” McVay said. “His value on game day was especially awesome. I remember always being impressed by Tennessee from afar when it came to the way they handled things.”
McVay pointed specifically to end-of-half and end-of-game situations, as well as Streicher’s communication skills, as his biggest strengths.
“He was able to help create clarity for the players on what they needed to do and when,” McVay said. “And he did such a great job educating me and being very clear. He was always so clear; just a clarity and a courage and poise — especially on game day — that I really respected.”
McVay also knew it was just a matter of time before Vrabel got another head coaching job … which meant Streicher would be on the move. When Vrabel was hired by the Patriots, the call came once again.
McVay could have prevented Streicher from leaving but knew it was more than football.
“He’s Mike’s guy,” said McVay. “The thing that struck me was that Stretch earned the opportunity to have a significant role in New England. There are just a lot of things in alignment there, with where he wanted to continue to progress. It’s a cool option for him.
“We didn’t get better by losing him. We were only fortunate to get him because of what happened in Tennessee. Mike has always been good to me, I thought it was the right thing to do.”
‘This guy is going to run an organization’
As McVay suggested, it seems Streicher will be in New England for the near future. But it’s natural to wonder about the next step.
Adams tied himself to Belichick for the duration of his career with the Patriots, and the relationship between Vrabel and Streicher suggests the same.
But would a bigger job offer for Streicher — such as the chance to run his own team — ever preclude that possibility?
He’s acknowledged that it’s his desire to be an NFL general manager, and those who know Streicher say that could happen sooner rather than later.
“This guy is going to run an organization one day. He’s going to be a GM or a president of an organization one day. I don’t have any doubt in my mind,” Withers said. “I personally don’t see Stretch as a coach. I see him bigger than that.”
In the meantime, Streicher’s friends agree that the most impactful Patriots pickup of the offseason was a former high school basketball star who won’t catch a pass or throw for a touchdown.
“They’re getting a very loyal guy who is very smart. He’s down to earth with very little ego. Whatever needs to get done, he gets it done,” Withers said. “He’s one of those guys who will do everything to help the Patriots organization win a Super Bowl.”
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.