Michigan head football coach Kyle Whittingham has hired Berj Najarian, who spent 24 years as the director of football for the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick.

Najarian joins Whittingham’s staff as assistant general manager for strategy, Michigan football spokesman Dave Ablauf said Friday. Dave Peloquin is Michigan’s general manager.

Najarian most recently worked on Bill O’Brien’s staff at Boston College as chief of staff after he moved on from the Patriots when Belichick was fired two years ago. He had been considered Belichick’s right-hand man. Najarian left Boston College in December last year.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan football hires Berj Najarian as assistant general manager