New England Patriots Hire Jerod Mayo as Head Coach
The New England Patriots have announced the hiring of Jerod Mayo as their new head coach, following Bill Belichick’s departure. Mayo, a former player for the Patriots, has been working as an assistant on the team’s defense since 2019. He will be formally introduced at a press conference on January 17.
Mayo played eight seasons for the Patriots as a linebacker, earning two Pro Bowl selections and winning the Super Bowl in 2015. He has been coaching the linebackers since 2019. The decision to promote Mayo from within the organization eliminates the need for an extensive hiring process.
Former Patriots player Mike Vrabel, who was recently fired as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, was also considered for the position. However, owner Robert Kraft decided to stay in-house and give Mayo the opportunity.
According to reports, Mayo’s contract as linebackers coach included a head-coach succession clause, allowing for a smooth transition to the top job. At 37 years old, Mayo becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL, surpassing Sean McVay’s record when he was hired by the Los Angeles Rams in 2017.
Mayo takes over a team that has had a few disappointing seasons, finishing with a 4-13 record in 2023. Kraft expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance during Belichick’s farewell press conference. Mayo will face immediate pressure to turn things around.
Belichick, who spent 24 seasons with the Patriots, created one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties, winning six Super Bowl titles. Mayo now has the task of filling his shoes and leading the team to success once again.
With Mayo’s hiring, there are now seven head coaching openings in the NFL.
