Jerod Mayo wins debut as Patriots’ head coach

Former Vol Jerod Mayo wins debut as NFL head coach.

New England (1-0) defeated Cincinnati (0-1), 16-10, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio during Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.

The game represented the first career head coaching win for former Vol Jerod Mayo.

Mayo played linebacker for Tennessee from 2005-07 under head coach Phillip Fulmer. He  recorded 236 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception and one touchdown. He was an All-SEC performer for the Vols in 2007.

He replaced Bill Belichick as the Patriots’ head coach. Belichick served as New England’s  head coach from 2000-23, winning six Super Bowl championships and compiling a 266-121 record.

Mayo played for New England from 2008-15 and was the Patriots’ inside linebackers coach from 2019-23.

During his NFL career, he was a Super Bowl champion. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2012. Mayo was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008.

PHOTOS: Jerod Mayo through the years

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images