The New England Patriots didn’t waste much time looking for a replacement for their legendary head coach, Bill Belichick. Just one day after saying goodbye to Belichick, the Patriots hired Jerod Mayo as his successor.
Mayo spent the past five seasons serving as inside linebackers coach with the franchise. He also played with the Pats between 2008 and 2015.
The Patriots going with Mayo doesn’t come as much of a surprise. He was a candidate for several head coaching openings in the past but remained with the Pats, leading many to believe he was in line to replace Belichick at one point. New England even gave him a new extension last offseason to make sure he stays.
Mayo’s new contract was what actually allowed the Patriots to move so quickly with his hiring and go around the NFL’s regular hiring rules. Reportedly, the team inserted a “succession plan” in Mayo’s deal that placed him first in line when the head coaching job in New England opens. Initially, the plan was supposed to be executed after the 2024 campaign, but a disappointing 2023 season caused the franchise to speed up the process.
Mayo was a two-time Pro Bowler as a player and won a Super Bowl XLIX with the Patriots. After retiring following the 2015 season, Mayo spent some time outside football before Belichick added him to his staff. He is well respected for his coaching acumen around the league and is considered a “players’ coach.”
