Watch: Robert Kraft’s press conference after decision to fire Patriots HC Jerod Mayo
Kraft released a statement on Sunday announcing the decision to fire Mayo. Now, team ownership must find a new head coach for the second year in a row.
Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft will address the media and provide an update on the team’s search for a new head coach on Monday following Sunday’s decision to fire Jerod Mayo.
Here’s the live stream of Kraft’s press conference:
Update (2:15 pm): Here’s a recap of what Kraft said during the press conference.
Kraft announced the decision on Sunday after the regular season finale — which, ironically, Mayo and the Patriots won — citing the fact that the “trajectory of our team’s performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped.” The team finished in last place with a 4-13 record for the second straight year.
“For me, personally, this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made,” he explained of letting Mayo go less than a year after hiring him to succeed legendary predecessor Bill Belichick.
Kraft had previously found success in his head coaching decisions. After buying the team in 1994, he sought to keep Bill Parcells (then already the coach). Following Parcells’ public and acrimonious departure to, of all places, the Jets in 1997, Kraft tabbed Pete Carroll as his replacement.
And while Carroll’s time in New England eventually fizzled, he went on to win championships at both the college and NFL level (becoming one of only three coaches to ever win a college football national championship as well as a Super Bowl).
Following Carroll, Kraft once again plunged into the turmoil of the “border war” with the Jets to eventually end up with Belichick. Despite going 5-11 in his first season, the Patriots stuck with Belichick (unlike Mayo), and were rewarded with an unprecedented run of success. In his 24 years as New England’s head coach, Belichick guided the Patriots to 17 division titles and six Super Bowl wins.
As for who will follow Mayo, former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel has been heavily discussed in connection with the role, while New England has already reportedly sought permission to interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
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