ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news on Friday morning that Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots have promoted former Linebackers Coach Jerod Mayo to be the 15th Head Coach and first black Head Coach in franchise history.
Mayo is also currently the youngest coach in the National Football League, one month younger than Sean McVay, the Coach of the Los Angeles Rams. McVay has held the title as the youngest head coach since 2017 when he was hired at 30.
Jerod Mayo was drafted 10th overall by the Patriots out of the University of Tennessee in 2008. Mayo went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year in his freshman year with the Patriots. He had an eight-year career, earning two Pro Bowl selections in 2010 and 2012, as well as a Super Bowl 49 ring in New England before retiring from his playing career in February 2016 after numerous injuries.
Mayo was hired by Bill Belichick in 2019 as the Linebackers Coach, having a successful first year on the Patriots coaching staff with the #1 defense in the NFL. Mayo has been an important part of the Patriots' defensive coaching staff in the years since, continuing to help produce a top-ten defense. Mayo was also in the mix for a handful of teams looking to hire a new Head Coach in 2023. Ultimately, Mayo signed a contract extension with the Patriots, keeping him in New England, including in the contract a succession clause that helped to fast-track Mayo from Linebackers Coach to Head Coach.
With New England legend Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots parting ways Thursday morning, team owner Robert Kraft later that day stated what they were looking for in their next Head Coach. "We're looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win,” Kraft said. After having one of the greatest coaches in National Football League history for the last 24 years, The Patriots are looking towards a newer, younger future for their team, starting with the hiring of Jerod Mayo and the 3rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.