Jerod Mayo Named Head Coach of the New England Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots have appointed Jerod Mayo as their new head coach, making him the 15th head coach in franchise history. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Gillette Stadium on an unspecified date in 2024.
Mayo’s appointment marks a significant moment for the Patriots, as he becomes the fourth individual to be named head coach after playing for the previous coach with the same team since the 1970 merger. The other three individuals to achieve this feat are Mike Tice of Minnesota (under Dennis Green), Jack Pardee of Washington (under George Allen), and Bart Starr of Green Bay (under Dan Devine).
Mayo’s Playing Career and Accolades
Jerod Mayo, a former standout linebacker, played his entire NFL career with the New England Patriots, drafted by the team in the first round (10th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee. During his eight seasons with the Patriots, Mayo appeared in 103 games, registering an impressive 905 total tackles. His leadership qualities were evident from the start, as he was named team captain for seven consecutive seasons, from 2009 to 2015.
Mayo’s contributions to the Patriots’ success were recognized with numerous accolades. He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice, in 2010 and 2012, after leading the league in tackles in both seasons. In 2010, he earned the prestigious Associated Press first-team All-Pro honors. Additionally, Mayo was named the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008, becoming only the second Patriots player to receive this honor.
Post-Retirement Career and Return to the Patriots
Following his retirement from the NFL in 2015, Mayo embarked on a successful career in finance. He joined Optum, a leading health services company, as vice president of business development. Mayo’s skills and understanding, honed during his football career, enabled him to excel in the business world. He worked on consumer solutions with clients and provided consultation on mergers and acquisitions.
In 2019, Mayo returned to the Patriots organization, this time as the inside linebackers coach. His coaching tenure has coincided with the Patriots’ consistent defensive success. In four of his five seasons on the coaching staff, the Patriots have ranked among the top 10 teams in total defense, including the last three seasons. The pinnacle of their defensive dominance came in 2019 when the Patriots ranked first in the NFL in total defense.
Defensive Success Under Mayo’s Coaching
Under Mayo’s guidance, several Patriots defenders have flourished and achieved individual accolades. Dont’a Hightower, a veteran linebacker, earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2019 after a stellar season. Hightower’s contributions included 71 tackles, 5½ sacks, four passes defensed, and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
In 2022, Matthew Judon emerged as a dominant force on the Patriots’ defense. He recorded career highs in sacks in back-to-back seasons, tallying 12½ sacks in 2021 and a remarkable 15½ sacks in 2022. Judon’s 15½ sacks in 2022 rank third in team history and resulted in a franchise record 102.5 sack yards. His impressive performance earned him his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl invitation, as well as PFWA-All-AFC Team honors and the Week 5 AFC Defensive Player of the Week award.
Another standout defender under Mayo’s tutelage is Josh Uche. In 2022, Uche set career highs with 11½ sacks and 49.5 sack yards. His exceptional play included a six-sack performance over a three-game span, the second-most in team history. Uche’s efforts were recognized with the AFC Player of the Week honor in Week 14 following his three-sack performance against the Arizona Cardinals.
2023 Defensive Performance and Historical Achievement
The Patriots’ defense continued to impress in 2023, ranking seventh in total defense. Their remarkable ability to limit opponents’ rushing attacks resulted in the lowest yards per rush allowed in the NFL, at just 3.3 yards per rush. This achievement marked the lowest rushing average allowed by the Patriots since the 1970 merger, surpassing the previous record of 3.4 yards per rush set by the 1974 team.
Conclusion
The appointment of Jerod Mayo as head coach signals a new era for the New England Patriots. His playing career with the team, coupled with his successful coaching tenure, makes him an ideal choice to lead the Patriots into the future. With Mayo at the helm, the Patriots aim to build upon their defensive prowess and continue their pursuit of Super Bowl glory.