Jerod Mayo served as Bill Belichick’s successor as the head coach of the New England Patriots. Unfortunately for Mayo, that succession plan was brief, as he was fired after just one season.
The former Patriots linebacker was the inside linebackers coach from 2019-2023 before being promoted to the head coaching position after Belichick and the Patriots parted ways. After firing Mayo shortly after the 2024 season, the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel, another former player for the organization, as their next head coach.
Christian Gonzalez Weighs in on Mayo’s Firing
Christian Gonzalez recently appeared on the “Frat Rules Podcast” to discuss his feelings about his former head coach’s firing.
“I did [like Jerod Mayo as a coach]. I did. I think they did him a little dirty, giving him only one year. But, it’s business … We gon’ see what [Mike Vrabel] do … They damn near cleaned house.”
Christian Gonzalez on the #Patriots’ coaching changes:
“I did [like Jerod Mayo as a coach]. I did. I think they did him a little dirty giving him only one year. But, it’s business… We gon’ see what [Mike Vrabel] do… They damn near cleaned house.”
(🎥 Frat Rules Podcast) pic.twitter.com/2SwkxBBVFx
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) February 19, 2025
Gonzalez is entering his third year in the NFL after being named a Second-team All-Pro in 2024. The former Oregon Ducks star finished the 2024 season with 59 total tackles (50 solo, nine assists), 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 16 games.
Mayo took over for a team that went 4-13 in 2023 and finished with the same record in his lone season at the helm. Gonzalez’s frustration presumably stems from the difficult situation Mayo entered into.
It’s worth noting that Patriots owner Robert Kraft admitted that the Mayo situation was his fault.
“This whole situation is on me. I feel terrible for Jerod. Because I put him in an untenable situation,” Kraft said. “I know he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job.”
Vrabel Will Take the Reigns From Mayo
After mentioning inexperience as a reason that Mayo could not succeed in his brief stint as a head coach, New England chose a much more experienced option as his successor. Vrabel has been coaching since 2011, but unlike Mayo, he has been a head coach before, coaching the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023.
Vrabel not only has experience as a head coach, but he has also been successful. Under Vrabel, the Titans went 54-45 while having a 2-3 record in the postseason.
Tennessee made it to the Postseason three times under Vrabel, with its best playoff run coming in 2019 when they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
In addition to team success, Vrabel has found individual success as an NFL head coach. In 2021, Vrabel was named the NFL Coach of the Year after leading the Titans to an AFC South Division Title and a 12-5 record.
Time will tell if Vrabel’s success in Tennessee will translate to New England. As for Mayo, it remains to be seen if he will get another head coaching opportunity in the NFL.