Mike Pellegrino (34), right, defends Maryland's Bobby Gribbin (34) during a 2015 semifinal match in the NCAA Division I men's lacrosse tournament in Philadelphia. After college, Pellegrino played professionally for the New York Lizards and Boston Cannons. He is now a New England Patriots assistant coach. ▲

FOXBORO — The days were long and Mike Pellegrino was usually tired. So after his work inside Gillette Stadium was done, he'd retreat home to sleep.

That's life as a coach — or a coaching assistant in this case — with the New England Patriots. The team works young coaches to the bone, but they often see results. Several coaches have arrived at Gillette as young assistants, and one day would leave as coordinators or even head coaches for other teams.

That's why those long days are worth it, but that's not the only reason Pellegrino was tired during his first three years in New England.

After his work-eat-sleep routine from Monday through Friday, Pellegrino would go to his weekend job. That's when he joined his Boston Cannons teammates to play professional lacrosse. Little did many people know, Pellegrino was moonlighting as a professional athlete while coaching professional athletes in Foxboro.

Two years later, Pellegrino looks back fondly at his time in the MLL, where he played from 2015-2017. Once a budding lacrosse player, this 25-year-old is now a coach on the rise with the Patriots. He'll be coaching the cornerbacks this season.

"The balance wasn't very good because I stopped playing," Pellegrino said. "Just sitting at a desk all day and then getting up, a lack of sleep and trying to play a game with guys that are locked in."

Pellegrino always admired football. Growing up in Oakdale, N.Y., he was a standout running back for Connetquot High School, twice earning first-team All-State and first team All-County honors. In 2010, he was named the Hansen Award winner, which is given to the top player in Suffolk County.

Of course, there was lacrosse and Pellegrino was even better in that arena. In high school, Pellegrino was an Under Armour All-American. That's what brought him to John Hopkins, where he became a four-year starter, two-time captain and All-American long-stick midfielder for the Blue Jays. As a senior, he became the 13th Johns Hopkins player since 1949 to be selected as a captain more than once.

"Grew up, always loved football. Was always a football guy, (but I) grew up in Long Island, so I gravitated toward lacrosse," Pellegrino said. "My dad played lacrosse, so I was at good football, but was a better lacrosse player. (I) got an opportunity to play for Dave Pietramala at Johns Hopkins. It's hard to say no to that. That guy has done a lot for me. I'm grateful I made that decision. Then, getting the opportunity to intern here and then work here, I mean, it's like a dream come true."

Pellegrino's coach at Johns Hopkins is how he landed on the Patriots' radar.

Pietramala is close friends with Bill Belichick, who has been seen sporting Johns Hopkins gear in the past. Pellegrino got an internship with the Patriots in the summer of 2014, before his senior year. Then in 2015, he joined the Patriots as a football operations intern. That year, Pellegrino also became a professional lacrosse player as the New York Lizards selected him 10th overall in the MLL draft.

While interning for the Patriots, Pellegrino suited up for the Lizards twice.

The following year, Pellegrino was named a defensive coaching assistant in Foxboro. He was also on the move in the lacrosse world. After being selected by Atlanta in the MLL supplemental draft, Pellegrino was traded on Jan. 25, 2016, to the Boston Cannons.

That first season with the Cannons was Pellegrino's most successful. He played in 11 games, scoring three points (two goals and an assist). Since the MLL season is in the spring, Pellegrino had some free time with his coaching job in Foxboro.

Of course, playing professionally while missing most practices wasn't easy. By 2017, football started to dominate Pellegrino's life. He appeared in six games that season for the Cannons and then retired as a pro athlete.

"(Working all day here), going home, sleeping, coming back to work and on weekends, being able to get out of here for a game," Pellegrino said. "Maybe sneak in a Friday night practice if it was home, but it was definitely a kind of weird dynamic. I was grateful for Coach Belichick for letting me go do that. It was in the offseason, so there wasn't a lot of pull."

While his duties in Foxboro this season are increasing (he's replacing Josh Boyer), his love for lacrosse hasn't died. He's proud to say he played professionally and even plays today — when he actually has some free time.

"Yeah, it's definitely cool," Pellegrino said. "I still play now. There's a bunch of pick-up leagues around here. I just jump in. Got to stay in shape, man. Gotta have some fun."