Jerod Mayo's tenure as head coach of the New England Patriots ended after just one season, surprising few within the organization. Sources indicated Mayo struggled to find his footing, as he attempted to distance himself from the coaching style of legendary Bill Belichick, which backfired significantly. His approach included bonding with players, illustrated by an incident where he joined them in a card game post a loss, but this was viewed as inappropriate given the team's struggles.
Furthermore, Mayo's inexperience in NFL coaching hampered his ability to assemble a qualified staff, relying on new hires who were also untested in their respective roles. This lack of experience extended to team discipline, as illustrated by the confusing handling of running back Rhamondre Stevenson after a costly fumble. Ultimately, the Patriots finished the season with a disappointing 4-13 record, prompting the franchise to search for its next head coach.