Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Jerod Mayo has been hired to replace Bill Belichick as the head coach of the New England Patriots, ESPN reported on Friday.
Related: Like many great leaders, Bill Belichick was brought down by a failure to evolve | Oliver Connolly
Mayo, 37, who has served as the Patriots’ inside linebackers coach under Belichick since 2019, will become the youngest head coach in the NFL when he is formally introduced next week.
Last week, Mayo spoke to the Associated Press about the invaluable perspective he’s gained during New England’s worst season under Belichick and how it would help whenever he was given a chance to lead a team.
“When I think about when I do get my opportunity – and I don’t know when that’s going to be – honestly, I’m kind of like a dry leaf blowing in the wind, wherever (it) takes me,” Mayo said. “But at the same time, I feel like I’m prepared. I feel like I’m ready. I look forward to the opportunity, wherever that may be.”
Mayo, who played for New England for eight seasons, won a Super Bowl ring with the team during the 2014 season and was hired as an assistant coach in 2019.
In the later role he has since developed a reputation for being well-respected among players. Together with outside linebackers coach and defensive play-caller Stephen Belichick they have led a Patriots defense that remained ranked highly in several categories despite losing top linebacker Matt Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez early to season-ending injuries.
More to follow.
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/england-patriots-hire-37-old-135332765.html
Author : The Guardian
Publish date : 2024-01-12 13:53:32
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
