Paris Alston: This is GBH's Morning edition. It's the end of one era. And soon the beginning of a new one. After 24 seasons, Bill Belichick is parting ways with the New England Patriots, known for his defensive strategy and game time attire that earned him the nickname The Hoodie. Belichick has been a constant for Pats fans for more than two decades. There are reports that the Pats have already hired his replacement. And joining me to talk about it all is MassLive sports reporter Karen Guregian, who has covered Bill Belichick's entire career with the Patriots. Karen good morning. Thanks for being here.
Karen Guregian: Good morning, Paris.
Alston: So first of all, is that kind of rare to have covered all 24 seasons of a single head coach?
Guregian: Um. I don't know if it's rare, but, yeah, I've made the entire run even pre-Belichick. So.
Alston: Wow.
Guregian: It's been it's been fun covering him, Tom Brady's entire time, and, you know, six Super Bowl wins.
Alston: Yeah the dynasty right? We all know all about it. And with that Karen, while this news was not necessarily a surprise given how the Pats' past few seasons have been going, it has been hard to swallow because of that dynasty and because many people here have never known another head coach. What have you been hearing from fans?
Guregian: Well, I think it's interesting that there's been — and again, not surprisingly — a lot of support for Bill Belichick, for the reasons you laid out. It's kind of all people know. And they associate winning with him. The problem, as team owner Robert Kraft laid out to us yesterday, was that three of the last four seasons were losing seasons, with the worst being this past season, with them winning just four games. And, you know, between the losses and the roster lacking the kind of talent you need to win in the NFL these days, with Coach Belichick also being the general manager and putting together the team, they thought it was time to perhaps go in another direction.
Alston: Now, you mentioned all the winning that has happened under his tenure. Of course, that includes six Super Bowl championships, the most in NFL history. What do you see as Belichick's greatest accomplishments, aside from the wins?
Guregian: Well, I think he established a culture in New England. He established a culture with the team, and it's kind of been passed on from year to year through the course of two-plus decades. You know, they call it the Patriot Way, but I think it's more like the Belichick way. And, you know, as I said, it's a culture of kind of no-nonsense, being accountable, leaving your ego at the door, do your job, we've heard all these little slogans. But I, I think that also comes with Coach Belichick, along with the six Super Bowls.
Alston: Now, we mentioned that we may know, it does appear that we know, who the next head coach for the Pats is going to be. We're seeing reports that Jerod Mayo has been hired to replace Belichick. Where does that put the future for New England?
Guregian: Well, it's interesting. First off, Jerod becomes the first African-American head coach for the Patriots. So that's notable. But I think in terms of their future, I think team owner Robert Kraft kind of wanted to keep it in the family. I mean, Jerod Mayo played for Coach Belichick. He's coached alongside Bill Belichick. And I think a lot of those traditions, a lot of the the culture that we just spoke of, I think Robert Kraft wants to continue on. And Jerod, who's a very bright-minded, player-friendly coach. I mean, he's a little different than, than Bill Belichick in that regard. But I mean, he last played about eight years ago. So he has more of a connection with today's players. He's a little more relatable than Coach Belichick. So, you know, we'll see what the future brings with him at the helm.
Alston: Yeah, hopefully he can get the team back on track. Well that is Karen Guregian who has covered Bill Belichick's entire career with the Pats and is also a sports reporter with MassLive. Karen, thank you so very much.
Guregian: Thanks for having me.
Alston: You're listening to GBH news.
Well, that was quick.
Just a day after formally moving on from Bill Belichick, the Patriots have found their new head coach, according to multiple reports: Jerod Mayo. The team confirmed the news later on Friday.
Here is what you need to know about the man who now takes the top job on the Patriots sideline:
He's a product of the Patriots
Mayo first came to New England as a first-round draft pick back in 2008. The linebacker made an immediate impact, leading the team in total tackles in each of his first five seasons with the team and he was named the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year. He'd go on to pick up two Pro Bowl nods and was on the AP's All-Pro First Team for the 2010 season. He spent his entire NFL playing career in New England, picking up a Super Bowl ring along the way, and retired after the 2015 season.
His last few years have been in New England
Mayo made his way back to Foxborough as a coach in 2019. The linebacker coach has helped guide some of New England's defensive standouts, like Matthew Judon and Dont'a Hightower during his time on the coaching staff.
Mayo is well liked and respected within the organization
Mayo's time as a player has reportedly translated well to his tenure on the sideline, with players giving him high marks. The franchise also reportedly had a succession plan ready to go for him in place so he could become the new head coach without having to go through an extended hiring process.
He'll be making some history
If all goes through, 37-year-old Mayo will be the youngest active head coach in the NFL. That title currently belongs to Rams skipper Sean McVay. Mayo will be the 15th head coach in franchise history.
He will also be the first Black head coach for New England. Up until this point, New England was one of 13 teams to have never had a Black non-interim head coach.
Mayo has a big task ahead of him
Robert Kraft put it bluntly when speaking to reporters on Thursday: He wants someone who can take the team back to the playoffs and win.
Mayo will have a strong defense on his side, but will now also be tasked with overhauling an offense that finished with the third-fewest total yards in the league this season.
For the first time since the start of the century, the Patriots have a new head coach. Now it remains to be seen what he can do in the wake of one of the biggest names in the history of the game.
