Patriots fire Jerod Mayo after one season as head coach (original) (raw)
The New England Patriots announced late Sunday afternoon that Jerod Mayo will not be returning for a second season as head coach of the team.
Instant reaction: Patriots fire Jerod Mayo
The Patriots finished the season with a 4-13 record after beating the Buffalo Bills 23-16 on Sunday, a win that cost the franchise the No. 1 overall pick.
"After the game today, I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025," Robert Kraft said in a statement. "For me, personally, this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I have known Jerod for 17 years. He earned my respect and admiration as a rookie in 2008 and throughout his career for his play on the field, his leadership in the locker room and the way he conducted himself in our community. When he joined our coaching staff, his leadership was even more evident, as I saw how the players responded to him. When other teams started requesting to interview him, I feared I would lose him and committed to making him our next head coach. Winning our season-opener on the road at Cincinnati only strengthened my convictions. Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team's performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped."
"Since buying the team, I have always considered myself and my family as custodians of a public asset. We have tremendous fans who expect and deserve a better product than we have delivered in recent years. I apologize for that. I have given much thought and consideration as to what actions I can take to expedite our return to championship contention and determined this move was the best option at this time."
"I am grateful for Jerod's many contributions to the New England Patriots throughout his career and will always be rooting for his success. I appreciate all his hard work and hope the experiences gained will help him in the future, as I still believe he will be a successful head coach in this league. I wish Jerod and his family nothing but success in the future."
Dec 28, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo watches from the sideline as they take on the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium. Photo credit David Butler II/Imagn Images
Despite Mayo’s background as both a linebacker (2008-15) and linebackers coach (2019-23), New England’s defense regressed as the season progressed in 2024, heading into Week 18 ranking 23rd in the league as a unit.
Mayo first came to the organization as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, after playing three seasons at the University of Tennessee. While his playing career ended after only eight seasons due to repeated injuries, Mayo was among the best defensive players of his generation of Patriots football - winning the 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and being selected as a First-team All-Pro in 2010.
Upon retirement, Mayo stepped away from the game to work for Optum, a health services and innovation company owned by UnitedHealth Group, where he served as the senior vice president of business development in the finance department from 2016 to 2019.
Mayo returned to the game after being recruited by his former head coach to join his staff, becoming Bill Belichick's linebackers coach ahead of the 2019 season. While Mayo never advanced past that title while on Belichick's staff, it's been reported that the former linebacker was involved in defensive play calling as he matured on the staff.
Kraft told Amazon’s Thursday Night Football earlier this season that he hand-selected Mayo to be Belichick’s successor "five years ago" - a timeline that aligns with Mayo's return to the game - and has routinely spoken about the close relationship between him and the former team captain.
That relationship was not strong enough to get Mayo into a second season as head coach.
(Foxboro, MA) Patriots first-round pick Jerod Mayo was introduced by Jonathan and Robert Kraft at Gillette Stadium. Thursday, May 1, 2008. Photo credit Matthew West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/Getty Images
With Sunday's firing, Mayo becomes the second one-and-done head coach in franchise history for the Patriots. He joins Rod Rust, who went 1-15 during the 1990 season for New England.
In the wake of Mayo's firing, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe is reporting that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is being relieved of his duties, saying on X.com that the "Krafts waste no time making big changes."
At the time of this posting, no word on the future of defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, who has been with the organization since 2017 in a variety of roles on the defensive coaching staff.
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com as this breaking news story continues to develop.
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