Former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has resigned from his new job as the New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator, just weeks after joining the reigning Super Bowl champions.

“I have informed [Patriots owner Robert] Kraft and coach (Bill) Belichick that I am stepping down from my position at the Patriots," Schiano said in a statement released by the team. "This is not the result of any one event, but rather a realization that I need to spend more time on my faith and family. I don’t want to look back years from now and wish I had done things differently. Therefore, I am taking time away from the game to recalibrate my priorities.”

Added Belichick in a statement: “I respect coach Schiano greatly and appreciate his contributions to our staff and team. He is a friend who we support completely.”

Schiano, a Ramapo native who rebuilt the Rutgers football program before leaving for his first stint in the NFL as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach, currently has three sons playing college football, as well as a high school-aged daughter, with his wife, Christy.

Schiano had been long rumored as headed to the Patriots after he left Ohio State following three seasons as its defensive coordinator to pursue NFL opportunities, and his hiring was made official after New England beat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. Schiano was set to replace former defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who left to become the Miami Dolphins’ head coach.

Schiano’s departure is so sudden, the secretive Patriots never even got around to officially announcing his hire.

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.