‘We need experienced leaders:’ Here’s who should replace Jerod Mayo
Despite the uncertainty Patriot fans felt during the 2024 season, there’s one thing they're sure about: who should replace head coach Jerod Mayo.
Despite the uncertainty New England Patriots fans have felt during “the ugliest season of football in recent memory,” according to Boston.com’s Conor Ryan, there’s one thing they feel sure about: who should replace head coach Jerod Mayo.
“We need experienced leaders. Mike Vrabel has the pedigree,” Boston.com reader John from Shrewsbury said when we asked who should replace the embattled first-year head coach.
On Sunday, Mayo was fired by the Patriots after finishing off the 2024 season with a disappointing 4-13 record. The Patriots’ 23-16 win against the Bills did little to quell disappointment among fans and the franchise’s ownership, which released a statement about Mayo’s firing just over an hour after the game.
“I have given much thought and consideration as to what actions I can take to expedite our return to championship contention and determined this move was the best option at this time,” owner Robert Kraft said in the statement on X.
Online chatter and speculation about who could be among the high-profile candidates to fill Mayo’s vacancy had been stirring in the days leading up to the Sunday firing. Mike Vrabel was a frontrunner among the lot, and he polled favorably with Boston.com readers, too.
When we asked readers who they’d like to see lead the Patriots as head coach, more than 300 responded with their choices. Vrabel took first place with 61% of the votes, followed by Ben Johnson in second place with just under a quarter of the votes (22%), and Brian Flores in third place with 7%.
“Vrabel bleeds the Patriot’s silver and blue, and he’s a smart and tough coach with the necessary experience to identify the coaches and players he will need to resurrect the winning culture that brought six Super Bowl trophies to New England,” Boston.com reader Vincent L. from Quincy said.
“Plus, he’ll present a necessary counterbalance to [Eliot] Wolf if the latter is retained as the EVP of player personnel in the areas of the draft and free-agent signings,” he added.
Below, readers share who they think should replace Jerod Mayo as head coach of the New England Patriots.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Who should replace Jerod Mayo as the head coach of the New England Patriots?
Mike Vrabel
“After having a coach who clearly did not have enough experience to be a head coach they cannot go with another first year head coach. Vrabel has years of experience and it seems many good coaches are much better in their second job which it will be for him. He is smart, seems to know exactly what he wants to do, and I mean he out coached Bill [Belichick] in that 2019 playoff game in Foxboro when Brady was still here.” – Hugh, Wayland
“He’s a proven leader that will create a tough-minded, organized, fundamentally sound team. Everything this year’s Patriots team was supposed to be. He got the most out of a mediocre roster in Tennessee before friction arose between him and ownership.Was a player in the league and can communicate and relate to today’s athletes on a different level. I think he can be a ‘player’s coach’ while still being tough, accountable and having high expectations of his players. I also think that unlike Mayo, he will have a consistent message and approach and won’t be walking it back every other day in the media.” – Nick B., Auburn, New Hampshire
“Mike Vrabel grew up in the Patriots system, culture, and venue as one of the great players to play during our glorious 20 years. He brings strength on the defensive side of the ball which we need next year, his acumen to coach and be a great leader as evident from his Titans days, and winning many games with a journeyman QB in Ryan Tannehill. He would be great in building a good offense around Drake Maye and putting together competitive defensive and special team units.” – Sankar S., South Riding, Virginia
“He knows the area and the fan base. He understands the Krafts and can probably deal with them better than others. Also, a great player!” – Marie, Cape Cod
“The Patriots need proven talent at the head coach position. Mike Vrabel led the Titans to winning seasons four different times and led Tennessee to the playoffs three times, including a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2019. He is the right choice at the right time – someone familiar to the franchise who will rebuild the winning culture this fanbase expects.” – Greg W., Hyde Park
Ben Johnson
“We need a new voice to lead the New England Patriots. The Patriot way of the past is over. Stop trying to bring former players back. Actually, stop hiring former players to be head coaches. Period. We need an offensive guru to partner with Drake Maye. And then hire a qualified defensive coach, like the one just let go by the Bengals.” – Mike, Bolton
“The Patriots need to cut down the Bill Belichick coaching tree and start with outside (new) ideas.” – Ken, Cape Cod
“We have a quarterback! We do not need a defensive coach like [Mike] Vrabel or [Brian] Flores. [Ben] Johnson, [Liam] Coen, or [Joe] Brady should be the top interviews.” – Tony O., Chilmark
“It really won’t matter who they choose if they don’t get rid of Eliot Wolf as well. If he has final say in drafting the next class, we’ve already lost.” – Jaden, Watertown
Brian Flores
“Brian Flores did a very good job in Miami before he was fired and he is doing a great job with the Vikings. He is very smart and has a system that he believes in, his team always prepares well.” – Jean M., Randolph
“High quality coach, doing a great job in Minnesota!” – E.A.
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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