Former Tennessee Vols star returns to the NFL as an assistant coach
Former Tennessee Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo, who spent eight years as a member of the New England Patriots, announced his return to the NFL on Wednesday. Mayo, who was named to two Pro-Bowls and won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots, will be New England's new linebackers coach. The Virginia native put together one […]
Former Tennessee Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo, who spent eight years as a member of the New England Patriots, announced his return to the NFL on Wednesday.
Mayo, who was named to two Pro-Bowls and won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots, will be New England's new linebackers coach.
The Virginia native put together one of the best defensive seasons in Tennessee history in 2007, accumulating 140 tackles in 14 games. That included 8.5 tackles for loss.
Mayo was then selected 10th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He was subsequently named the NFL defensive rookie of the year after starting all 16 games his rookie season and compiling 126 total tackles.
In 2010, Mayo led the league with 175 total tackles.
After the 2012 season, however, injuries started to take their toll on Mayo. Over his final three seasons in the NFL, the former Vol missed 16 games. He retired after the 2015 season.
It's not a surprise to see Mayo return to the Patriots organization, considering the close relationship he had with Bill Belichick.
Of course now that Mayo has dipped his toes into the coaching waters, you can be assured his name will be mentioned every time there's an opening on the coaching staff at his alma mater.
But I have a feeling Mayo is destined for a long coaching career in the NFL.
Featured image via Getty
