SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Former New England Patriots and Syracuse coach Dick MacPherson will become a spokesman for a corporate group that includes travel, resort, financing and leasing companies.

MacPherson has been hired by The Bennett Cos. as a senior vice president of corporate communications and as a member of the board of directors.

MacPherson, fired earlier this year after two seasons as coach of the Patriots, also will be a minority shareholder in M.A. Bennett Associates Ltd., the company managing the bankrupt Hotels at Syracuse Square and negotiating to buy them from owner Joseph Murphy Sr.