A cancer-free Terrell Williams happy to see Zak Kuhr lead Patriots defense in Super Bowl 60

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A cancer-free Terrell Williams happy to see Zak Kuhr lead Patriots defense in Super Bowl 60

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Wed, Feb 4, 2026 ·

3 min read

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The situation was less than ideal, but Terrell Williams truly believed Zak Kuhr was capable of doing the job.

Following the Patriots ’ regular-season opener, Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer and needed to step away from the team to undergo chemotherapy treatment at Mass General.

In need of a new defensive coordinator, Mike Vrabel turned to inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr. The position coach had called offensive plays in college, but never worked as a defensive play caller.

Williams, who worked with Kuhr in Tennessee, knew the assistant coach could handle the responsibility. This week, Williams, who is cancer-free, traveled with the Patriots to the Bay Area for Super Bowl 60. He’s excited to watch Kuhr call plays on Sunday.

“It was an easy transition because we all believe in the same things,” Williams said. “And the message has been the same throughout, from the time we got there to the time we met (this week)… We’re all preaching the same message. And sometimes when you coach in this league, you’ve got coaches that are pulling in different directions. Everybody has a motive.

“Well, the only motive for us was to improve. Not to win, but to improve. And we figured that the improvement would come. But Zak’s done an unbelievable job. I’m proud of him, and I’m looking forward to him calling the game on Sunday.”

For Kuhr, the moment in September was bittersweet. The hardworking assistant had long prepared for moments like this. But he also recognized the reason he was elevated was due to his mentor dealing with a life-threatening disease.

Kuhr spent the spring working with Patriots inside linebackers and noted the biggest challenge was earning the trust of the other players on the roster.

“I worked with the linebackers for the spring and training camp. Then I got thrown into this role,” Kuhr said. “Now, I’m working with everybody, and I had to earn their trust. I wanted to do that. I wanted to let them know all I cared about is their success. And anything to do to prove that whether it’s work ethic or conversations with those guys, that was the most important thing.”

Kuhr didn’t have to look far for motivation.

He credits Vrabel with giving him his first NFL opportunity as a defensive quality control coach in Tennessee. Kuhr wanted to prove him right. He also worked hard to make Williams proud.

Now, he’ll call defensive plays in the Super Bowl.

“It meant a lot,” Kuhr said. “I’m sure that T had a say in that with him. That means the world. Two things that drive me the most are one, doubters, and two, people who believe in me. Anytime somebody believes in me, I’ll go to the edge of the earth with them.”

For Williams, the fall was difficult as he battled cancer. He said it was tough not being able to be there for the Patriots. The 51-year-old gives Kuhr recognition for stepping up when called upon.

“Zak Kuhr deserves a lot of credit, a lot of credit for taking over and taking control of the defense,” Williams said. “And I’m really proud of those guys because we were all together in Tennessee. Zak was my assistant. We all worked together. I’m really happy to see those guys continue to thrive and preach the message that Vrabes is really preaching.”

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