Former Tennessee Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo is one of the all-time greats to play on Rocky Top.

Mayo played at Tennessee from 2004-2007. He was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2007.

The New England Patriots selected Mayo with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Mayo then played eight seasons for the Patriots, reaching two Pro-Bowls and winning a Super Bowl ring. He retired after the 2015 season.

Mayo, who turned 35 earlier this year, got into coaching shortly after his retirement. The former Vol standout was hired prior to the 2019 season as the Patriots linebackers coach. He's still in that role in 2021, but he has his sights set much higher.

The 2008 NFL defensive rookie of the year wants to be a head coach one day.

"I definitely have aspirations to be a head coach,” said Mayo this week (via the Boston Herald).

"That is the goal. I think I can do it, well, I should say, I know I can do it, I’m just waiting for my chance for it to come to fruition," added Mayo.

Mayo interviewed for the Philadelphia Eagles head coaching job this past offseason. That job eventually went to Nick Sirianni, who previously served as the Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator.

Even though Mayo missed out on the Eagles job, it sounds like it won't be long before he lands a head coaching gig.

The Houston Chronicle described Mayo as a "rising star in NFL coaching circles" last fall.

That shouldn't come as a surprise. After all, Mayo is one of the few players that's received glowing praise from New England head coach Bill Belichick.

Here's what Belichick had to say about Mayo in 2014 (via ESPN):

“I think he’s as well respected as any player in the locker room and I’d say one of the best overall team leaders, players and kind of a glue chemistry guy that I’ve been around,” Belichick said of Mayo on Friday morning before the team’s second training camp practice.

“I think he means a lot to our team. I’d say he’s really the guy that the team probably revolves around more than any other player. Not that there aren’t other players that are instrumental in that, but I think he touches pretty much everybody, not just the defensive players but all the guys — not just the older guys, but the younger guys. Even when he was captain in his second year, he had a relationship with the older guys. Now he’s more of a veteran player, but still pretty attached to the younger guys, like Jamie Collins and [Dont'a] Hightower and guys like that.

“He has a great work ethic, a great presence on the football field, and a great personality that in a very good way is professional but also has a good rapport with all the players and coaches.”

It certainly appears that Mayo has an extremely bright future in the coaching profession.

Featured image via Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports/Cathy Clarke/News Sentinel