The New England Patriots have made a bold move by hiring Jerod Mayo as their new head coach, ending the legendary era of Bill Belichick. The announcement came as a shock to many fans and analysts, who expected the Patriots to conduct a thorough search for Belichick’s successor. But the Patriots had a different plan in mind: they had their eyes on Mayo all along.
A Succession Plan in Place
According to The Athletic, the Patriots didn’t interview anyone else for the head coach position, as they had a succession plan in place with Mayo. The former linebacker signed a contract extension with the team last offseason, which included a clause that made him the next in line to take over the reins from Belichick. This was a smart move by the Patriots, who recognized Mayo’s potential as a leader and a coach.
Robert Kraft, the owner of the Patriots, said on Thursday that the team would work “very quickly” to fill the position, and he delivered on his promise. He praised Mayo as a “brilliant football mind” and a “natural leader” who has the respect and trust of the players and the staff. He also thanked Belichick for his 24 years of service, which included six Super Bowl titles and countless records.
A Patriot for Life
Mayo is no stranger to the Patriots’ culture and system, as he has spent his entire NFL career – both as a player and a coach – in New England. He was drafted by the Patriots in 2008 and became a star linebacker for the team, earning two Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl ring. He retired after the 2015 season, and after a brief stint as an executive in finance at Optum, he returned to the Patriots as an inside linebackers coach in 2019.
Mayo quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the de facto defensive coordinator for the team, along with Stephen Belichick, the son of Bill. He was instrumental in shaping the Patriots’ defense, which was one of the best in the NFL last season, despite the team’s dismal 4-13 record. He was also seen as Belichick’s heir apparent, especially after Josh McDaniels, the offensive coordinator, left for Las Vegas.
A Historic Hire
Mayo now faces the daunting challenge of replacing the greatest head coach of all time, who transformed the Patriots into a dynasty and a powerhouse. He will have to deal with high expectations, as well as a rebuilding process that involves finding a franchise quarterback and improving the roster. But Mayo is not afraid of the pressure, as he has shown throughout his career that he can overcome adversity and thrive in any situation.
At 37 years old, Mayo will become the youngest head coach in the NFL, edging out Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams by a month. He will also make history as the first Black head coach of the Patriots, and the third in the league, joining Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins. Mayo will be formally introduced at a news conference next Wednesday, January 17, at noon at Gillette Stadium, where he will begin his new journey as the 15th head coach of the Patriots.
