Jerod Mayo has started his first full season as Patriots head coach with a 1-2 record. But hey, it’s not like Rome was built in a day, right? It’s all about progress. And while Mayo is working through the growing pains on the field, his cross-sport relationship with Celtics’ coach Joe Mazzulla is giving him a fresh perspective, and he sounds pretty pumped about it.

Taking the podium on Friday ahead of the Sunday night clash against the 49ers, Mayo was sounding inspired. More so, by other sports like hockey and basketball. Speaking of the latter, he was asked about his relationship with Mazzulla. Mayo said: “It’s always been great.” He noted that the two had known each other even before Mayo took the coaching role in Foxborough, adding, “He used to sit in the defensive meetings. And we even used to talk about philosophy.” 

Their connection goes back further than you might think. Mazzulla spent a couple of summers at the Patriots’ facilities back when he was still an assistant with the Celtics. And being a huge Patriots fan himself, he didn’t mind spending time around the gridiron. These guys have been exchanging coaching philosophies for years, so you could say Mayo has a bit of an insider on Boston’s basketball scene. Cross-sport coaching tips? Hell Yeah!

Mazzulla’s been busy celebrating the Celtics’ 2024 championship win, but he always makes time for Patriots practice and in August he did so again. And why not? Considering he and Mayo have been buddies. So much so that in January, when Mayo got the head coaching gig, Mazzulla was all for it. He didn’t think Mayo needed any advice, saying, “He’s been around a long time, coached there, played there.”

But let’s be real—Mazzulla could probably drop some wisdom from his own experience. Like Mayo, he had no professional head coaching experience when he took over the Celtics. Especially after a rather not-so-bold start to the 2024 season, the Pats and Jerod Mayo could use some of ‘Mazzulla magic’ to come in handy. And you can bet he’s not shy to take inspiration from other Boston teams.

Jerod Mayo’s keeping the Bill Belichick tradition strong!

If it wasn’t already clear after the first three weeks of the NFL season, Jerod Mayo is carving his own path as the Patriots’ head coach. Sure, he’s kept a few traditions from Bill Belichick, but Mayo’s putting his own stamp on things. From having official coordinators to slapping the C on team captain jerseys, he’s balancing being a solid football coach while making sure his players and staff feel appreciated.

Mayo’s also got a unique way of breaking down the game. In a recent presser, he explained, “Football is football. The game is about space.” He connected the dots across sports like basketball, hockey, and even soccer, pointing out that it’s all about managing space. Whether it’s 3-on-1 in football, overloads in hockey, or layovers in basketball, Mayo’s coaching philosophy is all about creating tough choices for the defense.

It’s a fresh perspective in Foxborough. But Mayo’s not the first Boston coach to think outside the box. Mayo replaced Belichick in January, a coach known for fostering connections with Boston’s coaching elite. He’d often invite Celtics coaches like Joe Mazzulla, Brad Stevens, and even Red Sox and Bruins skippers to share strategies. So, while Mayo’s approach is fresh, that cross-sport camaraderie is a tradition he’s happy to carry forward.