Bill Belichick has been embroiled in a departure rumor for the last several months. Though the New England Patriots struggled throughout the season, the decision to move on from the seasoned head coach seemed vague to many. The reason was due to Belichick’s remarkable success with the team, including six Super Bowl titles.
However, the announcement ultimately came as Belichick and the Patriots announced on Thursday that he would part ways with the team after 24 seasons as coach. Though the ex-Patriots coach was tight-lipped about his departure rumor lately, he firmly said in his goodbye statement that it was time to “move on.” Now, the franchise will enter a new era, keeping Jerod Mayo at the helm.
Who is Jerod Mayo?
Jerod Mayo, the newly appointed head coach of the Patriots, brings a wealth of experience and a remarkable history with the team. The 37-year-old veteran is now the youngest head coach in the NFL, a month younger than the Los Angeles Rams’ Sean McVay. Notably, he also makes history as the first black head coach in the Patriots’ franchise.
A new era in New England.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 12, 2024
Congratulations, Head Coach Jerod Mayo! pic.twitter.com/Aj87oTu2S2
Drafted by the Patriots as the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Mayo dedicated his entire playing career to the team. He used to play as a linebacker and made his mark in 103 games by accumulating an impressive total of 905 tackles. The vet’s leadership qualities were quite visible during that tenure, as he captained the team for seven consecutive seasons, from 2009 to 2015.
After hanging up his cleats in 2015, the ex-NFL star transitioned to the business world by taking on the role of vice president of business development at Optum. However, the call of the game proved strong, leading him back to the Patriots in 2019 when he joined Belichick’s coaching staff as the inside linebackers coach. Now, he is set to serve the team as their 15th head coach.
Jerod Mayo set for introductory press conference as Patriots HC
The Patriots wasted no time in finding their new head coach after parting ways with Belichick. After appointing Jerod Mayo as their new head coach, they held his anticipated introductory press conference scheduled for January 17 at 12 p.m. ET. via CBS Sports. The event will be streamed live on Patriots.com and the team’s social channels.
The press conference will provide an insight into the new HC’s coaching philosophy, plans for the team, and the support he enjoys from the Kraft family. His ascent to this spot didn’t happen overnight. He has been widely regarded as Belichick’s heir apparent, and his journey began when Josh McDaniels left for the Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s a new era in New England: the Patriots have hired Jerod Mayo as their next head coach and he will be formally introduced at a press conference next week, a source tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/SeHKoAonrP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2024
What set Jerod Mayo’s deal apart was a succession plan cleverly embedded in a contract extension signed last offseason to reduce the hiring process.Unlike the extensive interview process typical for these hires, Mayo’s seamless transition was facilitated by a strategic plan set in motion earlier. This approach mirrors the Baltimore Ravens’ successful succession plan when Eric DeCosta took over as general manager in 2019.
Within the Patriots’ locker room, the veteran garnered significant support, especially from defensive players. Over the past five seasons, as the team operated without a designated defensive coordinator, his role expanded steadily. In the 2022 NGL season, the Pats’ defense ranked seventh overall in the NFL in yards allowed.
