Patriots Say Berry Probably Will Stay to Coach Team in ’90

Raymond Berry is apparently staying on as coach of the New England Patriots in the 1990 National Football League season, fulfilling the final year of his three-year contract and keeping continuity for the team, a Patriots spokesman said today.

“That sounds right, but we haven’t announced anything,” said team spokesman Jim Greenidge. “It’s not official.”

General Manager Patrick Sullivan told the Boston Globe in a story published today that Berry will be free to decide the makeup of his staff and make whatever changes he wishes.

“Changing coaches is not the panacea that everyone thinks it is,” Sullivan said Thursday after meeting with Berry and several others in the organization’s front office.

“The process itself sets the organization back at least a year. I don’t want to set this organization back,” Sullivan said.

Berry said he was pleased he’ll be back next season, and said he wouldn’t be adverse to changes. The Patriots had a 5-11 record last season, although they were deluged with injuries.