By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
Josh McDaniels and Jerod Mayo will be staying in New England, at least for now. Both were candidates for the open head coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles, which was filled on Thursdsay.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles have hired Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni for the role. That leaves the Texans as the only remaining head coaching vacancy in the NFL. Neither McDaniels nor Mayo have reportedly interviewed for that spot.
McDaniels’ name has been a favorite in head coaching rumors over the last few season, yet he has been unable to ultimately land a job. In 2018 he nearly ended up as the coach of the Indianapolis Colts, but ended up withdrawing his name for the position after the Colts had already announced they panned to hire him. The move drew criticism across the NFL, and resulted in his long-time agent dropping him as a client.
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Philly would have been McDaniels’ second chance as a head coach. He spent a year and a half at the helm of the Denver Broncos, where he most notably used a first-round pick on quarterback Tim Tebow. He was fired in 2010 after a 3-9 start.
Mayo meanwhile is still relatively new to coaching, with two years of experience as a linebacker coach for the Patriots. After his eight year career ended in 2015, he worked in media before joining Bill Belichick’s staff before the 2019 season.
To be considered for a head coaching job at 34-years-old, with just two years of coaching experience is not common. It goes to show how highly Mayo is regarded in NFL circles. Whether its another head coaching opportunity, or a stop first as a defensive coordinator, it’s a question of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Mayo will have his chance for a bigger role with a team.
So far this offseason, the Patriots have lost just one member of their 2020 staff to the coaching carousel. Back in December, then-quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch left to take the head coach job at the University of Arizona.
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com.