This offseason, Jerod Mayo took over as the New England Patriots head coach, replacing future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick. Let’s dive into Mayo’s NFL playing days and whether his experience as a player will translate to success as a coach.
Jerod Mayo’s Path to the NFL
Mayo was born on Feb. 23, 1986, in Hampton, Virginia. He started his football career at Kecoughtan High School, where he played running back and linebacker. He later attended Tennessee, where he spent the duration of his collegiate career. Mayo chose Tennessee over North Carolina State, Purdue, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Mayo was a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker. As a senior, he recorded 110 tackles, including 18 for loss, and two interceptions.
He spent four years at Tennessee, redshirting his freshman year in 2004 and appearing in six games in 2005 as a Will (Weak) outside linebacker. Mayo started in 2006, appearing in 11 games and totaling 83 tackles (48 solo), five sacks, and 12.5 tackles for loss.
For his final season in 2007, Mayo moved to middle linebacker (Mike) and started all 14 games. He was the defensive co-captain and registered 140 tackles, the most by a defender in program history. This resulted in a first-team All-SEC selection.
Mayo’s NFL Career
In 2008, the Patriots drafted Mayo in the first round (No. 10 overall). He was the second linebacker drafted in the 2008 NFL Draft behind Keith Rivers, who went one spot ahead to the Cincinnati Bengals. On July 24, 2008, the Patriots signed Mayo to a five-year contract worth $18.9 million, including $13.8 million in bonuses and guarantees.
Mayo was the only rookie in the Patriots’ 2008 class to start in Week 1, and he played every snap for the defense during his rookie season. Mayo finished the season with 128 total tackles (100 solo, 28 assists) and a forced fumble, which earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
In 2010, he officially became a team captain along with Tom Brady. Mayo finished with 174 total tackles, notching his career high and earning first-team All-Pro honors.
Throughout his NFL career, he racked up 802 tackles (536 solo), 19 pass breakups, 11 sacks, and three interceptions.
Mayo was a two-time Pro-Bowler in 2010 and 2012 and a Super Bowl champion in 2015 (Super Bowl XLIX), when the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks with a game-clinching interception.
The following season, Mayo fell down the depth chart and lost his starting job to Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins. On Feb. 16, 2016, he announced his retirement after eight seasons with New England.
Three years later, the Patriots hired Mayo as their inside linebackers coach. He stayed in that role until January 2024, when he was hired as the 15th head coach in franchise history and the organization’s first Black head coach.
Will Mayo’s success as a player and position coach translate to wins as a head coach? The NFL’s most successful franchise is counting on it.