‘Not trying to be Bill’: Mayo paints new picture of Patriots organization as he takes over as HC
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By Bryan Lambert
FOXBORO, Mass — During the the first introductory press conference for a head coach since Gillette Stadium was built, there were hearty laughs, smiles and even a light-hearted joke when owner Robert Kraft struggled to pronounce the name of one of Jerod Mayo’s sons.
“It’s one of those Black names. I’ll help you with that,” Mayo delivered to a chorus of chuckles.
If it wasn’t clear enough that Bill Belichick was no longer the frontman of the New England Patriots, new head coach Jerod Mayo made sure there wasn’t any room for confusion.
“I’m not trying to be Bill. Bill is his own man. If you can’t tell by now I’m a bit different even up here,” Mayo said with a wry smile.
Mayo, a linebacker-turned-linebackers-coach-turned head coach, was drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. The former Tennesse Volunteer quickly earned a reputation as a bright, hard-working rookie, who earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors as the team’s leading tackler.
Kraft also remembered the former first-rounder as a wanna-be comedian.
“I remember him immediately coming up to me and saying ‘Kraft and Mayo go together pretty well,’ Kraft said at Wednesday’s press conference.
Mayo’s reputation soon evolved into being one of the locker room’s most vocal leaders as Super Bowl champions like Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour exited New England. Mayo was voted as a team captain in just his second year, an honor that continued until his retirement as a player in 2015.
After a four-year stint in the business world, Mayo again returned to the Patriots sideline as an assistant coach. Mayo’s responsibilities as a coach grew almost as quickly as they did as a player as more of the Patriot’s defense fell under his eyes.
However, Mayo, nor any other assistant coach was named defensive coordinator as Matt Patricia was the last to hold that title during the 2017 season.
While Mayo acknowledged that the process of filling out his staff is an ongoing operation, he planned to hand out titles to new coaches he hopes are “developers.”
“I think with this generation you have to show them that you care about them before you get into competency as far as X’s and O’s are concerned. And that’s the one thing will all my coaches. They should know the players. They should know their room better than I do,” said Mayo. “I think titles are important. No knock to coach Belichick who has been a huge mentor to me over the years, as a player and a colleague... What’s your job? What value do you bring to the organization? And I think that’s the most important thing. In business and in sports people get caught up in titles but there’s the other side where if you want to get promoted, people have to know exactly what it is you do.”
Jerod Mayo introduced as new Patriots coach
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Owner Robert Kraft and newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots shake hands during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Owner Robert Kraft and newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots speak to the media during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo and Owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots pose for a photo following a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: A display board celebrates newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: Newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo, center, with his family (L to R) Jerod Jr, Chyanne, Chylo, Chantel, and Chya following a media during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: Newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots kisses his mother Denise Mayo-Hinds following a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
A week after Kraft stated the importance of checks and balances in the wake of Belichick’s exit as head coach and de facto GM, Mayo expressed a desire for a collaborative effort as New England tries to return to postseason play.
“I don’t like echo chambers,” Mayo plainly stated. “I want people around me that are going to question my ideas or the way that we have done things in the past because realistically this game is a lot different than it was when I was drafted in 2008.”
Mayo is inheriting an offense that finished at the bottom of the league last year and felt like a hindrance to a powerful, thumping defense more often than it like a boon. Before a playbook is schemed up or new personnel is put in place, Mayo said he hoped to see change take pace far away from the hash marks - the weight room.
“The energy. The passion. The leaders on the offensive side of the ball. I think you have to get that stuff in place,” said Mayo. “I think the weight room is one of the most important areas in the building to really evaluate what you have on your team. And one thing we don’t want to do is have people who are complainers or finger-pointing or things like that.”
While the head honcho of the sideline was swapped out, it remains to be seen whether the Patriots will have an unfamiliar face delivering the draft card to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on draft night.
Kraft said the Patriots will interview external GM candidates but wants to thoroughly vet the holdovers from the Belichick era first.
“We have a lot of people internally who have had a chance to train and learn under the greatest head coach of all time, a man whose football intellect is very special, so in the short term, we’re looking for collaboration,” Kraft detailed.
Kraft explained that he prefers to hire internally when he can for all his business ventures, not just the Patriots. The Brookline native explained to the crowd of reporters that he has only made three head coaching hires since purchasing the team and that one of his few regrets was not hiring Bill Belichick, an assistant on the 1996 AFC Champion team, before 2000.
It was a mistake he didn’t plan on repeating and why he chose to put language in Mayo’s contract clearing the way for his assistant to become head coach.
“I’ve learned to trust my instincts throughout my career and I trust that Jerod is the right person to lead the Patriots back to championship-level contention and long-term success,” explained Kraft.
New England Patriots coaches Steve Belichick, left, and Jerod Mayo, right, against Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL football game against the Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) (Paul Connors/AP)
Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots linebacker coach Jerod Mayo walks off the field after his team's 27-17 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Pstriots Mayo Football FILE - New England Patriots Jerod Mayo (51) looks over the line of scrimmage against the New York Giants at Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File) (Gregory Payan/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE - Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) blocks New England Patriots middle linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Stew Milne) (Stew Milne/AP)
Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots looks on against the Denver Broncos during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 14, 2012, in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Jerod Mayo FILE -New England Patriots inside linebacker coach Jerod Mayo watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Whether Bill Belichick’s future as the New England Patriots head coach will extend beyond this season remains an open question. But Jerod Mayo, one of the candidates to possibly succeed the legendary coach reiterated on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 that he believes he’s ready for an opportunity to lead an NFL team. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File) (Stew Milne/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE - New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo faces reporters, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, at the NFL football team's stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE -New England Patriots outside linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) warms up on the field before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct.13, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo talk on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) (Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 29: Josh Uche #53 of the New England Patriots talks with inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 22: New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo talk on the sidelines in the first quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 05: Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on during the game against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on from the sideline next to head coach Bill Belichik during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Arizona Cardinals GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 12: Coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 27-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
As Mayo departed the press conference, media duties fulfilled and plenty of photos taken, current Patriots Jonathan Jones and Ja’Whaun Bentley called out to their new head coach, complimenting him on his choice of suit for the auspicious day.
Mayo broke stride and diverted to the Belichick-era holdovers, embracing and sharing jokes before returning to the caravan of Patriots staffers, including his new direct boss. Mayo then marched out the set of double doors at the GP Atrium, off to some unknown area of Gillette. The introductions taken care of and the next item on the new head coach’s itinerary floated to the top.
Jones, Bentley and three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty stayed behind, mingling, laughing and making small talk with faces they might not see until the spring, when it’s Mayo swinging a whistle and drilling the tenants of the new Patriots’ vision.
“We have a good foundation,” Mayo said in the press conference. “My thing here over the next few weeks is to rebuild some relationships, knock down silos and collaborate.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.