Patriots Announce Succession Plan. It’s not Former Titans Coach Mike Vrabel

The New England Patriots hire a successor to replace Bill Belichick. But it isn't former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel. The Pats' new leader is Jerod Mayo.

NASHVILLE — Less than 24 hours after Bill Belichick's departure, the New England Patriots hired a former Super Bowl-winning linebacker as their next coach. But it isn't former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.

According to ESPN, Jerod Mayo has been appointed by Pats owner Robert Kraft as the new head coach of the Patriots, becoming the 15th coach in their history and the first new coach in 24 years, succeeding six-time Super Bowl winner Belichick. 

Jerod Mayo, 37 years, is set to become the youngest NFL coach. He will also be the first African-American head coach in Patriots history. 

Mayo was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft from the University of Tennessee and played for the Patriots from 2008 to 2015.

Vrabel, who was fired on Tuesday by the Titans, was thought to be a leading candidate if the Patriots moved on from Belichick. Mayo and Vrabel were teammates for one season in New England — was Vrabel's last and Mayo's first.

According to reports from The Athletic, team owner Amy Adams Strunk was uncomfortable with Vrabel not addressing rumors of him succeeding Belichick, which ironically led to Vrabel's firing. 

It seems that the rumors were unfounded because the Patriots were able to quickly hire Mayo because he had a succession clause in his contract, which allowed the team to bypass the standard NFL hiring procedures.

There are seven coaching vacancies in the NFL, including the Titans. 

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