The Jerod Mayo era is officially underway in New England. Mayo was introduced as the new head coach of the Patriots on Wednesday at a news conference with owner Robert Kraft at Gillette Stadium.
Mayo has the tall task of replacing Bill Belichick, whom the Patriots “parted ways” with last week after 24 seasons.
But the 37-year-old former player — and Patriots captain under Belichick — made it clear that he is not Bill Belichick. His lengthy answers to every question he fielded Wednesday made that abundantly clear.
While he won’t be bringing any grunts and snorts to the podium, Mayo will certainly borrow some things from the greatest head coach of all time.
But Mayo was adamant that he is also going to be his own man and have his own style as a head coach.
“I’m not trying to be Bill. Bill is his own man. If you can’t tell by now, I’m a little different,” Mayo said after being introduced as the 15th head coach of the Patriots franchise.
“The more I think about the lessons that I’ve taken from Bill: Hard work works. That’s what we’re all about.”
While Belichick was often referred to as a master chess player during his incredible run with the Patriots, Mayo sees the role as a head coach as more of a gardener. His goal is to develop a team full of leaders.
I see it as gardening. They don’t grow anything, they just make sure the soil is right, grab the weeds, and water every day.
That’s how I approach leadership,” said Mayo. “I want to just water seed. Right now we’re planting seeds and hopefully that will lead to the next dynasty here with the Kraft family.
