The New England Patriots did Jerod Mayo ‘dirty’ by firing the head coach after just one season, according to star cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
‘I did [like Jerod Mayo as a coach],’ the second-team All-Pro told the Frat Rules Podcast. ‘I think they did him a little dirty giving him only one year. But, it’s business.’
Gonzalez clearly didn’t mean his comment as a dig against Mayo’s replacement, Mike Vrabel.
‘We gon’ see what [Mike Vrabel] do,’ Gonzalez said. ‘They damn near cleaned house.’
Gonzalez wasn’t kidding, although Vrabel is bringing some familiar faces to Foxborough.
Of the 26 members of the staff announced by New England earlier this month, 11 worked with Vrabel during his six-year tenure in Tennessee from 2018 to 2023.
The New England Patriots did Jerod Mayo (left) ‘dirty’ by firing the head coach after just one season, according to star cornerback Christian Gonzalez (right)
Patriots owner Robert Kraft poses for a photograph with Mike Vrabel and his wife Jen
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Along with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who previously served as Vrabel’s defensive line coach with the Titans, three others also are getting new titles with the Patriots.
John Streicher is the Patriots’ new vice president of football operations and strategy after serving as director of football administration in Tennessee. In addition, new inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr was Vrabel’s assistant linebackers coach and Clint McMillan, the assistant defensive line coach with the Titans, will be the top D-line coach with the Patriots.
Other former Titans assistants under Vrabel that will be part of his new staff are receivers coach Todd Downing (formerly the Titans offensive coordinator), assistant offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling, running backs coach Tony Dews, safeties coach Scott Booker, Justin Hamilton, who will serve as cornerbacks coach, was a defensive quality control coach in Tennessee in 2023, director of sports performance Frank Piraino and assistant special teams coach Tom Quinn.
There were a handful of holdovers from former coach Mayo’s coaching staff as well. Mayo’s brother and strength and conditioning coach Deron Mayo will remain in the same position. Also staying on are assistant strength coach Brian McDonough, assistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler and defensive assistant Vinny DePalma. Ben McAdoo, who served as a senior offensive assistant under Mayo, will be a senior defensive assistant under Vrabel.
Former longtime Patriots assistant Josh McDaniels was previously announced as Vrabel’s offensive coordinator, along with special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, who held the same job this past season under Mayo.
One other notable hire is tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Thomas Brown. He interviewed for the offensive coordinator position that ultimately went to McDaniels. Brown started this past season as the passing game coordinator for the Chicago Bears prior to being promoted to offensive coordinator midseason and then to interim head coach for the final six games of the season.
Vrabel said in a statement that he wanted to ‘identify loyal, trustworthy coaches who are diverse in background, ideas, experiences and systems.’
‘We will be aligned in our vision to teach and develop our players with creativity, consistency and an attention to detail with the major goal of developing relationships that stretch beyond the field and meeting rooms,’ Vrabel said.
The Patriots replaced Mayo after the former New England linebacker finished with a 4-13 record one year after replacing franchise legend Bill Belichick. Vrabel, another ex-Patriots linebacker, is one year removed from his own dismissal in Nashville after going 54-45 over six seasons.
Chantel Mayo, the wife of fired former Patriots coach Jerod, has hit out on social media
In January, Mayo’s wife Chantel went on Instagram to defend her husband, writing: ‘It never even crossed our minds to tell the truth… but I couldn’t fathom all the lies we’ve read that are being told to save face.
‘What happened to the class????? We’ve been taking the high rod and letting everyone do their thing since Sunday.
‘But playing with someone’s name won’t be tolerated. I bet the fake stories will stop before the real ones start…’
Kraft said that firing Mayo was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do in his time as the head of the franchise.
‘I have known Jerod for 17 years. He earned my respect and admiration as a rookie in 2008 and throughout his career for his play on the field, his leadership in the locker room and the way he conducted himself in our community,’ Kraft said.
‘When he joined our coaching staff, his leadership was even more evident, as I saw how the players responded to him. When other teams started requesting to interview him, I feared I would lose him and committed to making him our next head coach.
‘Winning our season-opener on the road at Cincinnati only strengthened my convictions. Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team’s performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hope.’
