The NFL job that could make perfect sense for Vols legend Jerod Mayo after getting fired by the Patriots
Despite being fired earlier this month as the head coach of the New England Patriots, former Tennessee Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo still has a bright future in coaching. Mayo, who played his entire pro career with the Patriots before getting hired by New England as an assistant coach in 2019, replaced Bill Belichick as the […]
Despite being fired earlier this month as the head coach of the New England Patriots, former Tennessee Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo still has a bright future in coaching.
Mayo, who played his entire pro career with the Patriots before getting hired by New England as an assistant coach in 2019, replaced Bill Belichick as the franchise's head coach in 2024.
The former Vol was fired after going 4-13 in what was an impossible situation (rookie quarterback, depleted roster).
Mayo was replaced earlier this week by his former Patriots teammate, Mike Vrabel.
The NFL job that could make perfect sense for Jerod Mayo
Mayo will likely need to prove himself (again) as an assistant coach before getting another shot as a head coach. The former first round draft pick is viewed as a tremendous leader, but he'll need to have some success as a defensive coordinator before getting looks as a head coach.
One situation that could be ideal would be landing with the Minnesota Vikings if defensive coordinator Brian Flores gets a head coaching gig this offseason.
If Flores leaves for the New York Jets, it wouldn't be a surprise if Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell shows interest in Mayo.
Mayo and O'Connell were teammates in New England in 2008.
"I think the world of Jerod, always have," said O'Connell of Mayo at the draft combine last year. "Tried to possibly work with him multiple times over my coaching journey just cause of the leader he is."
Mayo has never officially served as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, but he essentially shared those duties with Steve Belichick in New England (neither had an official defensive coordinator title).
Even if Flores doesn't leave the Vikings for a head coaching job, it's still possible that O'Connell could look for a way to bring Mayo to Minnesota.
