The Patriots parted ways with their head coach on Sunday.
The New England Patriots have pulled the plug on the Jerod Mayo era, announcing on Sunday that the 38-year-old had been relieved of his position as head coach. Mayo, who was hand-picked by the team’s ownership to succeed long-time coach Bill Belichick, was fired after just one season at the helm.
Having this short of a stint is not unprecedented in franchise history. In fact, Mayo is now the second head coach to go one-and-done after Rod Rust in 1990.
Like Mayo, Rust also inherited a team in transition. The Patriots went 5-11 the previous season under Raymond Berry, who had overseen the most successful run in team history up until that point over his six years at the helm.
To replace Berry, second-year owner Victor Kiam hired Rust. Unlike Mayo, he brought an extensive coaching résumé to New England: he had worked at the high school and college level, in Canada, and served as defensive coordinator for three teams — including the Patriots under Berry — before getting his first head coaching opportunity.
However, his lone season was a debacle. After starting the season 1-1, the team deteriorated and ended up losing its final 14 contests to finish 1-15 amid waning fan interest and a sexual harassment incident in the locker room.
Rust was fired after the season and replaced by Dick MacPherson, who himself lasted only two years.
Until Sunday, Rust remained the only Patriots non-interim head coach not to get a second year. Now, Jerod Mayo has joined him.