New England Patriots hire former Tennessee football star Jerod Mayo as coach
The New England Patriots already have their next step for the post-Bill Belichick era.
The Patriots hired former University of Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo as the team's next coach on Friday, just one day after the team parted ways with Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl-winner. He will be introduced Wednesday at a press conference.
Mayo becomes the first UT player named a head coach in the NFL.
A new era in New England.
Congratulations, Head Coach Jerod Mayo! pic.twitter.com/Aj87oTu2S2— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 12, 2024
Mayo played for the Vols from 2005-07, appearing in 32 games with 26 starts. He had 236 career tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Mayo, who had been the team's linebackers coach under Belichick since 2019, was able to be hired without a lengthy search process due to the contractual succession plan the team signed last offseason, according to multiple reports. The team therefore did not have to adhere to the league's Rooney Rule.
The succession plan was part of the extension Mayo signed with the team last offseason, when he withdrew from consideration for the Carolina Panthers' coaching search.
Mayo, 37, becomes the first Black head coach in Patriots' franchise history and the organization's 15th head coach overall. He is expected to be formally introduced at a news conference next week, according to multiple reports.
Mayo was selected with the 10th pick of the first round in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Who is new Patriots coach Jerod Mayo?
Mayo quickly took on a major role on the Patriots' defense, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He was named a team captain in his second season and be selected an All-Pro the following year.
In 2016, Mayo retired after making two Pro Bowls and serving as team captain for seven years and leading the Patriots in tackles for five straight seasons.
Mayo joined Belichick's staff in 2019 as an inside linebackers coach, with his responsibilities growing over time.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft said last offseason "there’s no ceiling on (Mayo’s) ability to be a head coach,” adding, "I hope he's with us."
Jerod Mayo's age makes him unique hire
At 37, Mayo becomes the youngest active head coach in the NFL.
He is 30 days younger than Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, who had held the title since he was hired in 2017.
Knox News contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Tennessee football star Jerod Mayo hired as Patriots coach
