From the beginning, the New England Patriots had a succession plan in place to replace Bill Belichick.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Patriots never reached out to other head coach candidates. Some candidates available included former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
The Patriots parted ways with Bill Belichick on Thursday morning after 24 seasons, and it took less than 48 hours for them to announce a new head coach. New England has only one playoff appearance since Tom Brady left in 2020, and last season, they posted a baffling 4-13 record. They finished last in the AFC East for the first time since 2000. It was time for a change, and Robert Kraft now hopes Jerod Mayo is the answer.
Given Mayo is familiar with the Patriots organization and spent time as a player and coach in New England, many fans are excited about the hire. The 37-year-old has spent the last five years as the Patriots’ linebacker coach. Bill Belichick drafted Mayo in the 2008 draft with the tenth overall pick. Coincidentally, it was the last time the Patriots selected a player in the Top 10.
Mayo entered the NFL in 2008 and spent the following eight seasons with the Patriots, appearing in 111 games. The new head coach earned two Pro Bowl selections and was nominated as the 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bill Belichick then hired Jerod Mayo back as a linebackers coach in 2019.
It was a bit of a surprise the team didn’t give former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel an interview. Vrabel spent the last six seasons as head coach of the Titans, recording a 54-45 record and one trip to the AFC Championship game. Furthermore, Vrabel earned 2021 Coach Of The Year honors.
Mayo, 37, will now be the youngest head coach in the NFL. Yesterday, the Patriots moved on from the oldest head coach in the NFL. Belichick, 71, reportedly wants to keep coaching and will have interest from around the league.
Now, Mayo has decisions to make about his coaching staff. It’s known that Mayo and defensive play-caller Steve Belichick have a good working relationship. However, with Bill Belichick no longer with the organization, it’ll be interesting to see if his sons stay with the Patriots organization. Furthermore, there are several questions to be answered about the offense side of football. If Mayo chooses to keep Bill O’Brien around, would he also give full control to O’Brien?
Mayo and Kraft will now will work together to find the team’s next general manager.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
