New England Patriots
- Patriots select former player to replace Belichick
- Mayo, 37, becomes the NFL's youngest head coach today
Fri Jan 12, 2024 1:53 p.m. GMT
Jerod Mayo has been hired to replace Bill Belichick as head coach of the New England Patriots, the team announced Friday.
Like many great leaders, Bill Belichick was brought down by a lack of development | Oliver Connolly
Mayo, 37, who has served as the Patriots' inside linebackers coach under Belichick since 2019, will become the NFL's youngest head coach when he is formally introduced at a news conference Wednesday, the team said.
ESPN was the first to report Mayo's promotion.
The signing comes a day after Belichick agreed to part ways with the Patriots following a 24-year career that included six Super Bowl victories.
Mayo was immediately at the top of the list of potential Belichick successors ever since the Patriots made the unique move last offseason of announcing they would give the assistant a long-term extension. Mayo, along with Belichick's son and fellow linebackers coach Steve Belichick, handled play-calling duties for the Patriots defense the past two seasons.
Despite New England's 4-13 record this season, the team's defense remains top-notch in several categories, despite the early absences of top linebacker Matt Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez due to season-ending injuries.
While it's unclear what terms Mayo's contract contained before last season, it came after he interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs in Philadelphia and Carolina each of the past two years.
Last week, Mayo spoke to the Associated Press about the invaluable perspective he gained during New England's worst season under Belichick and how it would be helpful whenever he got the chance to lead a team.
“When I think about when I'll get my chance – and I don't know when that will be – I'm honestly like a dry leaf blowing in the wind wherever it takes me,” Mayo said. “But at the same time I feel like I’m prepared. I feel like I'm ready. I look forward to the opportunity wherever it may be.”
Mayo, who played linebacker for New England for eight seasons, won a Super Bowl ring with the team during the 2014 season and was hired as an assistant coach in 2019.
In his subsequent role, he has since gained a reputation for being held in high regard by players. Along with outside linebackers and defensive backs coach Stephen Belichick, they have led a Patriots defense that remains tops in multiple categories despite the early loss of top linebacker Matt Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez due to season-ending injuries documented.
When Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced the decision to part ways with Belichick on Thursday, he promised to move on quickly and try to close the gap.
Kraft said the mandate for the next coach would be to return to the postseason for a Patriots team that has missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons and has not won a playoff game since the 2018 season.
“We’re looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win,” Kraft said. “Believe me, after my family, this is truly one of the two most important assets in my life. It really annoys me when we don't win games. It wears all week long. So I promise you that I will focus on doing my best to ensure that we put ourselves in the best position to win for years to come.”
During his time as coach, Mayo quickly developed a reputation for being able to relate well to the players.
Former Patriots safety Devin McCourty played alongside Mayo for six seasons and then under him from 2019-2022.
During an appearance on NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk on Friday, McCourty pointed out that Mayo will particularly benefit from having the opportunity to hone his skills elsewhere, particularly during his time in finance at Optum.
“When you hear him talk, he's not just talking about leadership in football, but he's kind of CEO talking about leading people in life,” McCourty said.
Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley said earlier this month that Mayo already commands a lot of respect in the locker room.
“The players love him. I love playing for him. He gets the best out of his players,” Bentley said. “At the same time, he understands the culture and everything, how to make everyone work.”
But Mayo will likely face criticism from some for spending so much time in the Patriot bubble. “It’s nothing he can’t overcome,” McCourty said.
“I understand the reservations of people who say, 'He's just a patriot,'” McCourty said. “But when people are around him and talk to him, they will see the differences between him and Bill and see how the organization will evolve.”
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