Patriots Rumors: Latest on OC, DC Search for Jerod Mayo's Staff After Belichick Run

After Jerod Mayo was promoted to head coach to replace Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots are beginning the process of filling out his coaching staff.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that the Patriots are set to interview Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley for their offensive coordinator position on Monday. ESPN's Mike Reiss noted that so far, Mayo's "initial assistant coaching interviews have been more on defense and special teams."

Reiss highlighted Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington, adding that, "Some close to the situation say Covington, who attended Mayo's introduction as coach Wednesday, is well-positioned to elevate to a defensive coordinator role."

Schefter added that the Patriots are already familiar with Caley after he worked on their coaching staff from 2015 to 2022. Caley drew interest from teams with offensive coordinator openings last offseason as well, so he appears to be next up in the Sean McVay coaching tree.

Reiss went on to detail the list of candidates Mayo has been in touch with already.

"As of Friday night, sources confirmed he had video-conferenced with Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker, Saints linebackers coach Michael Hodges, Panthers outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu, Falcons special teams coordinator Marquice Williams and former Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, and there are plans to interview Rams assistant special teams coach Jeremy Springer and Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington (likely in person)," Reiss wrote.

Covington and Hodges worked together as co-defensive coordinators at Eastern Illinois in 2016, so the interview with Hodges is seen as "a tipoff that it might be headed in that direction."

Mayo will be looking to help the Patriots bounce back from a disappointing 4-13 finish to the 2023 season, so it's imperative that the team puts together a strong staff around the first-time head coach.