Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Tennessee Vols star becomes NFL head coach

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Jan 12, 2024 10:46 AM ET

A former Tennessee Vols star is now an NFL head coach.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Friday morning that the New England Patriots are hiring former Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo as their head coach, replacing the legendary Bill Belichick.

Mayo, who was a first round pick by the Patriots in the 2008 NFL Draft, has been a linebackers coach in New England since 2019.

It’s a new era in New England: the Patriots have hired Jerod Mayo as their next head coach and he will be formally introduced at a press conference next week, a source tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/SeHKoAonrP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2024

There was speculation that former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel would replace Belichick. But according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it was always Mayo for the Patriots.

In fact, it was written into Mayo's contract that he would be the successor to Belichick.

While so much of the focus was on Mike Vrabel, the internal focus for the #Patriots was always on Jerod Mayo. It was written into his contract that he would be the successor to Bill Belichick.

Now, he will be.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2024

Mayo declined interview requests last offseason to stay with the Patriots. That decision paid off as he's now the coach that will lead the post-Belichick era in New England.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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