Jerod Mayo had massive shoes to fill as the New England Patriots head coach. He followed Bill Belichick, who coached for over twenty years and won six Super Bowl titles. However, the current University of North Carolina head coach spoke highly of Mayo when he took the coaching role.
Unfortunately, expectations were wildly different from reality after the former linebacker was out as Patriots head coach after one season. New England finished the season at 4-13, the same record they’ve had in 2023.
While Mayo and the Patriots won their regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills, the result might have long-term implications for New England. Entering the game, the Patriots had the number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After the victory, they will pick fourth behind the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants.
Patriots fired HC Jerod Mayo, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/rZUOOoKmVC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2025
Mayo’s firing ended his 14-year tenure as a player and coach for the Patriots. After being selected in the first round (10th overall) in the 2008 draft, the linebacker from Tennessee played eight seasons with New England. He won one Super Bowl title and earned two Pro Bowl selections during his tenure.
Mayo returned to the Patriots as inside linebackers coach four years after he retired as a player. He filled that role for five seasons until Patriots owner Robert Kraft promoted him to head coach.
While the season ended victorious, the Patriots had two six-game losing streaks. Meanwhile, three of their four victories were by one possession. Sadly, their losing record extends their playoff drought to three seasons. Worst yet, New England is back on the drawing board to find its next head coach.
-Lance Fernandez