In just over 40 minutes time, newly minted New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, alongside owner and president Robert “Thunder” Kraft, established that he will be quite different in many ways from his predecessor and de facto mentor, Bill Belichick. Mayo was comfortable and composed and didn’t shy away from sharing his thoughts, wit, or insight on almost any matter. Like right from Jump Street when his boss was navigating the pronunciation of one of his brothers’ names.
Mayo, a seven-year NFL veteran who’s been with the Patriots as a defensive assistant for the past five seasons, didn’t seem overwhelmed by the moment or task at hand, pointing back to how he arrived in 2008 (the 10th overall pick out of Tennessee) to a team that was loaded, coming off of a historic season. Surrounded by so many impressive veterans, his learning curve began immediately. Kraft spoke of how Mayo always seemed like coach material from the start, but there were other moments, like their trip to Israel in 2019, where Mayo’s character and leadership really shone through.
The topic of Mayo being the first black coach in Patriots history was not avoided but ultimately also not a deciding factor in his hiring.
Mayo is an excellent public speaker, a natural skill he likely enhanced in his time with Optum in the corporate world as well as on local TV. He never fumbled for words or seemed lost or caught off guard, smoothly addressing every question.
Energy and charisma were never been in short supply, as Mayo showcased an ability to be both endearing and definitive. He spoke of a want to establish a collaborative environment but also preached a need to embrace something that wasn’t a focal point during the Belichick era: titles.
Mayo seemed like someone who would thrive in contemporary corporate culture with a want for a collaborative environment, almost anti-Belichick-ian in that way. He spoke of tearing down silos and respecting what the individuals he’ll surround himself with will contribute.
“I don’t like echo chambers. I want people around me who are going to question my ideas and question the way we’ve done things in the past,” Mayo said. “I don’t want to teach people what to think. I want to teach them how to think.”
Kraft showcased why he likes Mayo’s way of thinking, adding, “I think we have someone very special who understands how to manage young people today. In all our businesses, we try to create a culture that people want to stay with and be here long term. I think Jerod has the makeup and chemistry -- and it’s genuine.”
A topic of great interest with both fans and the media alike: personnel.
Multiple questions were asked about who would be in charge of player acquisition and who would ultimately make the personnel decisions. No definitive answer was given, though again, Mayo did express an appreciation of titles.
The lack of a definite reply as to who will be GM, if Mayo will defer personnel matters to the GM, and what the GM timeline is didn’t seem to sit well with fans; full well-knowing personnel issues and roster depth ultimately led to Bill Belichick’s undoing.
At the conference’s end, Mayo, a family man who spoke many times of how much his family means to him and what they did for his growth as a man (he spoke glowingly of his stepfather, Wilson), seemed to win over more than not, from the people who cover the team for a living to former players and teammates to those who spend their money and time cheering for them.
Though it seems the GM and personnel question will loom largest above all other matters and issues for the Patriots until it’s addressed and resolved with a resolute definition.
Today is not a day for coaching evaluations, roster turnover, or game tape breakdown. This was about Mayo, the 15th head coach in team history, re-introducing himself to the team he now leads, the media who covers him, and the fans who will cheer for and criticize him. Coaches have previously almost lost it all before their first practice with bad introductory pressers (see Gase, Adam for starters).
Mayo seemed to win his big day, deferential to the past he was a part of but unique in his approach for tomorrow. It’s no easy task to be the man who follows the greatest coach in NFL history. Mayo didn’t shy away from the topic of his legendary former boss, echoing that Bill Belichick left significant impressions on him while establishing that he will be his own man and own coach.
Today was more about a new coaching environment than it was about establishing a coaching philosophy. Time will tell if he’s the right man for the job to replace a legend and lead this team back to the promised land, or at least a winning record and maybe the postseason. But Mayo, who balances enthusiasm and measure deftly, wanted to let everyone know it’s a process.
“It’s too early to really talk about timelines and changing things.”
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