Former Vols star could become a head coach a year earlier than expected
Former Tennessee Vols star Jerod Mayo could become a head coach a year earlier than expected. Mayo, who is currently the Patriots' inside linebackers coach, has been viewed in recent years as the potential heir in New England to Bill Belichick. According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Patriots owner Robert Kraft's plan entering the 2023 season […]
Former Tennessee Vols star Jerod Mayo could become a head coach a year earlier than expected.
Mayo, who is currently the Patriots' inside linebackers coach, has been viewed in recent years as the potential heir in New England to Bill Belichick.
According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Patriots owner Robert Kraft's plan entering the 2023 season was to have Belichick coach two more seasons with Mayo, who was a first round pick by New England in 2008, taking over as the head coach in 2025.
But the Patriots' poor performance this season (New England is 3-10 through 13 games) could lead to that change happening in 2024 instead of 2025.
According to Graziano, multiple sources "in and around the (Patriots) building" think that Mayo taking over as New England's head coach in 2024 is the "most likely outcome".
From ESPN: The defense's performance could end up strengthening the case of linebackers coach and de facto defensive coordinator Jerod Mayo as the presumed successor to Belichick, though. Sources close to the Patriots believe Kraft's plan entering this season was for Belichick to coach two more seasons and have Mayo take over in 2025…..Multiple sources in and around the building say Mayo taking over next year is the most likely outcome, though others are no longer certain that's the way Kraft will go. Mayo would have to sell Kraft on who will be in charge of the offense, the quarterback's development and personnel. That could all happen and work out in Mayo's favor, but it doesn't sound like it's a 100 percent sure thing.
Mayo would certainly need to find a strong offensive coordinator to run that side of the ball. But there are plenty of young, smart options out there to run the offense so that shouldn't be too big an issue for Mayo if he gets the job.
The Patriots clearly think highly of Mayo, which is why they extended him prior to the season to keep other teams from hiring him. There's still a lot to be determined in New England, but it sounds like a strong possibility that the former Vol could be a head coach next fall.
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