Jerod Mayo wished to retain a member of the Belichick household on his workers throughout his one-and-done tenure as Patriots head coach, however in “a lesser position.”
Within the wake of New England’s choice to fireside Mayo on Sunday following a disastrous 4-13 marketing campaign, The Athletic reported Wednesday how the previous linebacker-turned-coach “didn’t provide” Steve Belichick, the son of former head coach Invoice Belichick, “the prospect to proceed calling performs” on protection as he had achieved in earlier years.
“With the defensive coordinator position, the opposite most essential spot on his workers, Mayo was surprisingly decisive,” The Athletic detailed, noting the first-year head coach tapped defensive position coach DeMarcus Covington as a substitute of Steve, 37.
“Mayo provided Steve a lesser position, however the youthful Belichick declined.”
Steve, who joined the Patriots’ workers in 2012 as a defensive assistant and known as defensive performs from 2020-23, left the franchise in 2024 for the College of Washington, the place he was named defensive coordinator.
He’s anticipated to hitch dad Invoice, 72, in Chapel Hill, the place the NFL legend was named head coach of the UNC Tar Heels.
Steve’s brother, Brian, remained with the Patriots as their safeties coach in 2024.
Mayo, 38, was named Belichick’s successor in January 2024 after the franchise parted methods with its six-time Tremendous Bowl-winning coach.
Upon constructing a brand new workers, Mayo “needed to lean on” Patriots government VP of participant personnel Eliot Wolf “and others within the entrance workplace” because of the coach’s “lack of connections,” The Athletic reported.
With a comparatively inexperienced regime, “Mayo was left with out an skilled sounding board in the course of the tougher days of the season,” the publication detailed.
Different alleged strikes by Mayo piqued curiosity throughout his lone season on the helm.
On a flight residence after “a lopsided loss” to the Cardinals in Week 15, Mayo moved from his seat in the direction of the entrance of the plane to the rear, “the place some gamers had gathered to play playing cards, selecting to hang around there whereas his assistants watched movie.”
Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft put Mayo’s failed season on himself, stating Monday, “I put him in an untenable scenario.”
New England’s seek for a brand new coach is effectively underway.
Earlier this week, the group introduced interviews with former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and veteran NFL assistant Pep Hamilton.
Patriot nice Mike Vrabel, one of the vital sought-after candidates available on the market, will communicate to the group Thursday.
The Patriots are one of many six teaching vacancies this cycle, which incorporates the Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Raiders and Saints.