Jerod Mayo wanted to keep a member of the Belichick family on his staff during his one-and-done tenure as Patriots head coach, but in a “small role.”
Following New England's decision to fire coach Mayo on Sunday after a disastrous 4-13 record. The Athletic reported On Wednesday, the former linebacker-turned-coach told Steve Belichick, the son of former head coach Bill Belichick, that he “didn't offer him the opportunity to continue calling plays” on defense as usual. “It was a long time ago,” he said.
“Mayo was surprisingly decisive in the role of defensive coordinator, the other most important position on the staff,” The Athletic detailed, noting that first-year head coach Steve (37) He pointed to the hiring of defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington in his place.
“Mayo offered Steve a lighter role, but the younger Belichick turned him down.”
Steve joined the Patriots' staff in 2012 as a defensive assistant and was responsible for defensive play from 2020 to 2023, before leaving the team in 2024 to attend the University of Washington. There he was named defensive coordinator.
He will join his father, Bill, 72, in Chapel Hill, where the NFL legend was named head coach of the UNC Tar Heels.
Steve's younger brother, Brian, will remain with the Patriots in 2024 as the safeties coach.
Mayo, 38, was named Belichick's successor in January 2024 after the franchise parted ways with the six-time Super Bowl champion coach.
When building a new staff, Mayo “had to rely on Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Elliott Wolf and other members of the front office” due to the coach's “lack of connections,” according to The Athletic. Reported.
Because of the relatively green structure, “Mayo lacked an experienced consultant during the more difficult parts of the season,” the publication details.
Other questionable moves during Mayo's only season at the helm piqued curiosity.
On the flight home after a “lopsided loss” to the Cardinals in Week 15, Mayo moved from his seat in the front of the plane to the back. “Some of the players were there to play cards and we decided to hang out there while the assistants were there.”We saw a movie. ”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Monday blamed himself for Mayo's failed season, saying, “I put him in an untenable situation.”
New England's search for a new manager is well underway.
Earlier this week, the organization released interviews with former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and veteran NFL assistant Pep Hamilton.
Patriots great Mike Vrabel, one of the hottest candidates on the market, is scheduled to speak to the team on Thursday.
The Patriots are one of six coaching vacancies this cycle, including the Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Raiders and Saints.
