37-Year-Old Jerod Mayo Succeeds 71-Year-Old Bill Belichick; Set to Become NFL’s Youngest Head Coach

Jerod Mayo is set to become the Patriots‘ next head coach, following Bill Belichick‘s departure. Multiple NFL insiders, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, reported that Mayo would be officially introduced to the role next week. It’s unknown how would his time with the Patriots be, but Mayo has already broken one special record.

At 37 years, 10 months, and 21 days of age as of Friday, January 12, Mayo would take the title of the league’s youngest active head coach. Although he is not breaking the youngest-ever record at the time of appointment and neither the youngest to win a Super Bowl, it’s still impressive to be responsible for handling a history-rich franchise like the Patriots at such a young age.

Jerod Mayo takes over Sean McVay

Mayo played for the side from 2008 to 2015 as an LB, before returning as a linebackers coach in 2019. He is a familiar face at the franchise and was a defensive captain during his playing days. Owner Robert Kraft has trusted the in-house name as a successor of Bill Belichick who left on Thursday. And the lifetime Patriot has made a record-breaking start to his coaching stint even before his first session.

Mayo dethrones Rams‘ HC Sean McVay as the youngest active coach in the league. McVay took over the Rams’ job in 2017 while he was only 30, being the youngest in the modern-day NFL. He also became the youngest HC to win a Super Bowl at just 36 years of age at Super Bowl LVI. Currently, at 37 years, 11 months, and 20 days, McVay held the title of the league’s active youngest coach until Mayo, which has changed now.

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But the new head coach has some greater, and much more impressive records to chase than just this one. He has to fill in someone’s shoes who is often regarded as the greatest ever to do it. How close can Mayo get?

The Jerod Mayo era starts at the Patriots

Mayo has to do an unbelievable amount of work if he truly wishes to fill Belichick’s shoes. Even if he reaches half of the number of rings the 71-year-old had, he will still be regarded as one of the greatest ever in NFL history. But it’s a big claim now, probably way too much given the mess the Patriots are in.

But the positive side is that his heart is truly at the Patriots. Becoming the 2008 defensive rookie of the year, he had 1 Super Bowl to his name before leaving the side in 2015. Mayo is also a part of the Patriots All-2010 team, being a 2x Pro Bowler, 1x All-Pro inductee and even leading the league in tackles on one occasion.

Even after his retirement, Mayo couldn’t stay away from New England for long and came back to serve Belichick as a linebackers coach. Now that the latter is gone, being one of Belichick’s oldest students, he gets the chance to carry on with his legacy.

It will certainly be too much to ask him to follow the former head coach’s numbers. But Mayo still has more than enough time to do so, being only 37. How close can he get? Robert Kraft and the Patriots kingdom will hope as close as possible.

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