For the first time in 24 years, the New England Patriots will have a new head coach.
On Friday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Patriots had hired former inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo as the man to replace legendary coach Bill Belichick.
It was a decision that has reportedly been in the works ever since Mayo signed his last contract, which had the former Patriots linebacker as the succession plan for Belichick.
Once the team and Belichick agreed to go their separate ways on Thursday, owner Robert Kraft stuck with the plan and hired Mayo as the new head coach. Even with other enticing options out there, like former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, Kraft didn’t waver in his decision.
While there has been mixed opinions on the hiring from fans, there has been universal praise from current and past Patriots. Here’s what players were saying about the hiring on social media: