The New England Patriots are adding Jerod Mayo to their coaching staff to coach the linebackers, according to NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran. After eight seasons with the Patriots, Mayo has spent his time in retirement with NBC Sports as an analyst. But apparently, he wants to get back into the halls at Gillette Stadium.
New England will surely welcome his knowledge and leadership after seeing a handful of their defensive positional coaches depart. Linebackers coach Brian Flores took a head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins, and took cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer. Defensive line coach Brendan Daly moved onto Kansas City. New England has added defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, along with the hires of assistants. But the team hasn’t named any of those new hires into a positional role.
Mayo has long been one of Bill Belichick’s favorite players after the team selected him at 10th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He was a longstanding captain in the locker room and was a part of one Super Bowl winning effort.
“There have been very few players in my career that I’ve had the opportunity to coach that I’d say had more of an impact on a team than Jerod has from day one, which is unusual,” Belichick said of Mayo in March 2016 after the linebacker’s retirement.
“From the first day he walked in the facility, which was his pre-draft visit, after we drafted him in 2008, he’s been a pleasure to coach, a great addition to our team, both on and off the field,” Belichick continued. “I’m sure I learned a lot more from him than he did from me. Jerod, (Chantel) and their family brought a special glow to our team, to our organization. Although Jerod will always be part of the team and is always welcome, he’ll be missed on a daily basis, the attitude, work ethic and love of football that he brought was special. He was very special.”
