KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The New England Patriots have tabbed VFL Jerod Mayo to replace Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to reports on Friday.
Mayo was a linebacker at Tennessee from 2004-07 and was drafted by the Patriots with the tenth overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played his entire NFL career in New England and has been their inside linebackers coach for the last four seasons.
The former All-Pro and All-SEC selection will become the youngest head coach in the NFL at 37 years old, taking the title from Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay.
Former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer made a statement on Mayo's hiring below:
“I am so proud of Jerod and his accomplishments. He was a great leader at the University of Tennessee and one of the hardest working people I have ever had the opportunity to coach. He poured into his teammates who believed in him, and he was an infectious leader on and off the field. It was no surprise to see him have success as an NFL player for eight seasons and as an NFL assistant coach. His quick rise to the NFL head coaching ranks is a testament to who he is as a person. I can’t wait to see him continue his career success as head coach of the New England Patriots.”
