Jerod Mayo, the 15th head coach in the history of the New England Patriots, has emphasized the importance of availability, open communication, and titles within his coaching staff. On Wednesday, Mayo introduced his executive-level coaching staff to New England, which includes offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, and special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer. Mayo expressed his excitement about the new coordinators and their contributions to the team.
Mayo joined the Patriots coaching staff in 2019 as the inside linebackers coach under former coach Bill Belichick. Despite not holding the title of “defensive coordinator,” Mayo’s responsibilities grew each year, and he was heavily involved in the defensive play-calling strategy. His ability to communicate and mentor earned him respect from his peers and players. As a first-time head coach, Mayo faced new challenges in assembling his staff, but he embraced the opportunity to learn and grow.
The Patriots have welcomed a total of 19 new coaches to their staff in 2024, their largest staff in quite some time. Mayo believes that this expansion was necessary to modernize the team’s on-field product. He emphasized the importance of avoiding duplicated roles and acknowledged the difficulty of getting things done with a small staff in today’s NFL.
Mayo expressed excitement about working with Van Pelt, who has an extensive knowledge of football and a talent for developing talent. He also highlighted Van Pelt’s ability to build personal relationships with players. Despite the many new faces on the coaching roster, Covington’s return as defensive coordinator provides continuity for the team. Mayo praised Covington’s behind-the-scenes coaching and his ability to develop players both physically and mentally.
Mayo also addressed the return of inside linebackers coach Dont’a Hightower, who has been a key player for the Patriots. Mayo described Hightower as a smart player and a great coach, and he encouraged Hightower to absorb as much knowledge as possible while also sharing his own insights with the team.
Overall, Mayo appeared poised, confident, and excited to work with his new staff. He emphasized the importance of communication, relationships, and titles within the coaching staff and expressed optimism about the team’s future.
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