New details have emerged surrounding Jerod Mayo’s short-lived stint as the Patriots’ head coach – and what led to his quick ouster in New England.

Mayo, now 38, was viewed as a rising head coaching candidate towards the end of Bill Belichick’s reign in New England, and owner Robert Kraft had planned for the future Hall of Famer to mentor his former player before stepping aside for him after the 2024 season.

However, last season – which turned out to Belichick’s final one in New England – got off to a disastrous 2-10 start for New England, and the legendary coach ‘withdrew’ from his staff as a result, according to The Athletic.

Belichick reportedly stopped talking to several members of his coaching staff and ultimately failed to provide Mayo with the guidance that Kraft had intended the then-inside linebackers coach to get.

Kraft hoped that Mayo, who had drawn previous head coaching interest from other franchises, would learn on the job after being appointed head coach last year.

However, that did not happen – his defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator and offensive play-caller were also first-timers in those roles – and Kraft admitted this week to saddling him with a poor roster after New England finished 4-13.

Jerod Mayo lasted just one season as the Patriots’ head coach after a 4-13 season

Owner Robert Kraft admitted to putting Mayo in an ‘untenable’ position but still fired him

Robert Kraft on the decision to move on from Head Coach Jerod Mayo. pic.twitter.com/zTADw2lrui

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 6, 2025

‘I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation,’ he told reporters.

‘I know that he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job.’

However, The Athletic also pointed to several anecdotes from the season that were questioned internally.

In one scenario, after a Week 15 loss to the Cardinals, Mayo raised eyebrows for going to the back of the team plane and playing cards with his players – while his ᴀssistants watched film.

‘Look, there are a lot of ways to do the job,’ a source on the plane said. ‘It’s not that Jerod’s was definitely wrong. But I can’t say I’ve seen that before.”

Mayo also said running back Rhamondre Stevenson would be benched ahead of the team’s penultimate regular season game against the Chargers due to his fumbling problems (seven on the season, with three lost).

Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick was meant to mentor Mayo but ‘withdrew’ from his staff during his final season

Read More Bill Belichick takes another sH๏τ at Jerod Mayo after Patriots coach branded players ‘soft’

That did not end up happening, though Stevenson only received two carries in the game.

On the other hand, Mayo handed Antonio Gibson the start in Week 5 – also due to Stevenson’s fumbling issues – but Stevenson ended the game with 16 touches in the game. 

Mayo also referred to his own players as ‘soft’ following an October loss – which was panned by his former boss Bill Belichick. 

The Patriots are now being linked with another former New England player, Mike Vrabel, with the ex-тιтans coach set to interview with the team.