Former Tennessee Vols standout could be an option to replace Nathaniel Hackett as the Broncos' head coach
The Denver Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday and a former Tennessee Vols standout could be an option to replace him. Hackett, who was first after less than one year on the job (he went 4-11 through 15 games this season), essentially lost control of the team in Denver. Once that happened, it […]
The Denver Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday and a former Tennessee Vols standout could be an option to replace him.
Hackett, who was first after less than one year on the job (he went 4-11 through 15 games this season), essentially lost control of the team in Denver. Once that happened, it was inevitable that he wouldn't get a second season to prove himself.
It's still a bit early to know what direction the Broncos will turn in their search to replace Hackett, but there's a good chance that former Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo will be an option.
Mayo played eight seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and reached two Pro Bowls. He's currently in his fourth season as New England's inside linebackers coach.
The former Tennessee linebacker has received head coaching interest the last couple of offseasons. In fact, Mayo was one of several candidates who interviewed with the Broncos last offseason, so they're certainly familiar with him.
The reason that Mayo is viewed as a future head coach is because of his elite leadership abilities, which is something Denver clearly needs right now after the disastrous Hackett experiment.
Here's what ESPN's Mike Reiss said earlier this year about Mayo:
His leadership is probably the main reason that he's on the radar. You talk to people that have been around him, both in his playing career and also in his coaching career and even in his business career, and they will tell you he is one of the greatest leaders that they have ever been around. Obviously leadership entails a lot of different things. I think one of the things that Jerod is known for is his ability to relate to people. And so put that all together: playing career, business career — after he played, because he didn't go right into coaching — now coaching career, intelligent — super intelligent — all those things sort of lead to the package that has him being talked about.
We'll have a better idea in the coming weeks of what Denver is looking for, but Mayo is certainly a name worth keeping an eye on.
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
