FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A new era is beginning in Foxborough on Wednesday as the Patriots officially announced Jerod Mayo as the 15th head coach in franchise history.
The former Kecoughtan product becomes the franchise's first black head coach and 15th overall. He was apart of New England's Super Bowl title team in 2014.
"I see it as gardening. They don't grow anything, they just make sure the soil is right, grab the weeds, and water every day. That's how I approach leadership," said Mayo. "I want to just water seed. Right now we're planting seeds and hopefully that will lead to the next dynasty here with the Kraft family."
Mayo will have some legendary shoes to fill, as he’s taking the place of Bill Belichick, one of the greatest coaches in the game’s history, and before him, there was Pete Carroll and Bill Parcells. Belichick agreed to part ways with the Patriots after a 24-year run that included six Super Bowl wins.
"I'm not trying to be Bill. Bill is his own man. If you can't tell by now, I'm a little different," Mayo said after being introduced as the 15th head coach of the Patriots franchise. "The more I think about the lessons that I've taken from Bill: Hard work works. That's what we're all about."
Mayo has been on the Patriots coaching staff since 2019, calling plays for a defense that has remained very solid, despite the team woes the last couple of years. Mayo was drafted by the Patriots 10th overall in 2008, and it has been less than 10 years since his retirement in 2016. He is currently the youngest head coach in the NFL.