The New England Patriots have promoted linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to be the franchise’s next head coach, the team announced Friday. Mayo replaces Bill Belichick, who parted ways with the franchise on Thursday after 24 seasons.
The 37-year-old Mayo had served as an assistant under Belichick since 2019 in New England. This is his first head coaching job.
Mayo becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL, taking the title from Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, who is also 37. He will also become the first Black head coach in the history of the Patriots franchise.
Mayo has longstanding ties to the Patriots. He was a linebacker from 2008 through ’15, serving as a starter for several of those seasons, including in ’14 when the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks.
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Mayo signed a contract extension last offseason and was seen as a potential successor to Belichick. Mayo had support among several notable players in the locker room, especially on New England’s defense, according to multiple reports.
A new era in New England.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 12, 2024
Congratulations, Head Coach Jerod Mayo! pic.twitter.com/Aj87oTu2S2
The Patriots enter a pivotal offseason after a 4–13 campaign, the worst mark in Belichick’s 24 seasons as New England’s head coach. With plenty of cap space and the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, it will be an offseason of transition for a franchise that is looking to return to its winning ways.
