James White explains why he thinks Jerod Mayo will succeed as Patriots head coach

Patriots

“He’s a man who can talk with each single particular person on the group.”

The Patriots may need contractually appointed Jerod Mayo as Invoice Belichick’s successor over a yr in the past, however the fifteenth head coach in New England’s franchise historical past nonetheless has loads of query marks surrounding him going into the 2024 season. 

Whereas his teaching acumen has been felt on a stingy Patriots protection over the previous couple of seasons, Mayo is at the moment the youngest head coach within the NFL at 37 years previous. He rejoined Belichick’s workers simply 5 years in the past, and has not known as performs earlier than — with Steve Belichick dealing with these duties on the defensive aspect.

However Mayo’s potential, presence, and communication with gamers has drawn loads of optimistic opinions — each from the present personnel in New England’s locker room and several other of his former teammates throughout his All-Professional taking part in profession. 

Talking on the “Off The Pike” Podcast with Brian Barrett this week, former Patriots operating again James White mapped out what makes Mayo so beneficial as a coach. 

“Very vocal, very loud, very energetic,” White mentioned of Mayo. “He’s a man who can talk with each single particular person on the group within the locker room, teaching workers and he is aware of the sport of soccer. That’s among the best traits that he had as a participant. He was very good, very educated.”

White has loads of expertise working with Mayo, taking part in alongside him in Foxborough for 2 seasons (2014-15). Mayo rejoined the Patriots group in 2019, with White — who performed till 2021 — gaining firsthand perception into the previous linebacker’s progress as a instructor and coach.

New England is probably going in a state of transition transferring ahead, with a big roster overhaul doubtlessly on faucet within the coming years because the group seems to construct for the longer term.

Given the inflow of younger expertise that may very well be coming to Foxborough in 2024 and past, White believes Mayo is the right sort of authority determine who can resonate with the subsequent technology of NFL expertise.

“He’s nice with individuals,” White mentioned. “I believe as a coach, you bought to be nice with individuals, particularly nowadays. The children which are coming in now are very totally different. It began to taper off most likely the final three, 4, 5 years. The children coming into the NFL, they deal with issues so much in another way.

“I believe he’s a man who can embrace that. Like I mentioned, he can talk with a variety of totally different guys. He is aware of easy methods to get guys going, whether or not it’s him being loud and glad or whether or not it’s him being loud and getting on individuals. I believe he can discover that good, frequent floor. He’s a youthful man, nonetheless in his 30s, like myself. I believe he’s an awesome man for this job.”