Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Vows Quick Coaching Hire After Mayo Firing

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced plans to swiftly hire a new head coach following the dismissal of Jerod Mayo after just one season. Kraft took full responsibility for the decision, acknowledging the challenges Mayo faced in his debut year as head coach.

“This whole situation is on me,” Kraft said Monday. “I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation. He has all the tools to be successful, but he needed more time before taking the job.” The Patriots finished the 2024 season with a 4-13 record under Mayo, prompting Kraft to prioritize a return to playoff contention.

Kraft revealed that the team has already requested permission to interview Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, a rising star in the coaching ranks. When asked about former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, Kraft remained noncommittal, stating, “We want to interview as many people as we can who can help us get to where we want to be.”

The Patriots’ front office, including senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, will remain intact for now. However, Kraft acknowledged that the new head coach will have significant influence over personnel decisions. “The coach will obviously have big input on who the players are and who the coaches are — it will be his decision,” Kraft said.

Kraft described the decision to fire Mayo as one of the most difficult of his life, citing the team’s midseason regression and fan dissatisfaction as contributing factors. “We don’t own this team; it’s owned by the fans of this region,” Kraft emphasized. “We’re custodians of a very special asset of the community.”

Despite the challenges, Kraft expressed optimism about the future, vowing to restore the Patriots to their championship-winning ways. The team’s next steps will be closely watched as they navigate a critical offseason.