For most members of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick had been the team’s head coach since they were infants. Those that have been on the team for a long time are starting to feel the difference now that Jerod Mayo is in the man in charge.
Speaking to the media this week, Patriots defensive end Keion White admitted that he misses Belichick’s “hard-ass” style of coaching. He said that he liked it when Belichick would curse the players out for messing up on plays.
“We don’t got Bill cursing us out every play anymore…” White said, via MassLive.
When pressed, White explained that he responds well to the kind of attitude that Belichick had towards the players. But he made it clear that Mayo is doing “a really good job” of being his own coach and has his respect because of it.
“I know, I miss it… I like Bill. He’s my type of coach, like a hard-ass. I like that,” White said. “I respond well to things like that. Mayo’s done a pretty good job too. It’s all different. Mayo’s doing a really good job of staying true to himself, not trying to fill somebody else’s shoes, but create his own path, and I really respect that.”
White further stated that he will respond to any coaching style just as long as they’re “genuine” and he believes that Mayo is doing just that.
“For me, I can respond to any coaching style as long as you’re genuine,” White said. “So if you’re a friendly coach, and you try to be a hard ass, I’m gonna see through that and challenge the (expletive). And if you’re a hard-ass coach and trying to be super friendly because you’re trying to cater to certain players, I’m gonna see through that. I’d much rather you just be yourself and be who you are – and that’s what Mayo’s doing and I respect that.”
Belichick may be gone, but he won’t be forgotten by the many players he left behind.