Jerod Mayo Sets First Patriots Defensive Coordinator Interview
It's been less than a week since Jerod Mayo was named head coach of the New England Patriots, and he hasn't wasted any time addressing holes in his coaching staff.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday afternoon that Mayo has scheduled his first defensive coordinator interview with Tem Lukabu. The 42-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo served as the Carolina Panthers outside linebackers coach for the 2023 campaign.
New #Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has begun the process of filling out his staff, as he's set to interview #Panthers OLBs coach Tem Lukabu for their defensive coordinator position, source said. A former Boston College DC, he's been with #49ers and #Bengals, as well.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2024
Patriots Rumors: Lukabu Set to Interview for DC Job
Despite only being in his early 40s, Lukabu has a ton of coaching experience.
The former Colgate linebacker began his coaching career as the director of player development for Rutgers in 2006. He spent 2008 to 2011 as a linebackers coach at Rhode Island and Rutgers before accepting his first NFL job — defensive assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — in 2012.
Lukabu returned to the college level as Colgate's LB coach in 2014 before jumping to Florida International to take a defensive line coaching job the following season. He's spent the last several years bouncing between NFL and college gigs, spending time with teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals and collegiate programs like Mississippi State and Boston College.
If hired, it'd be interesting to see what type of impact Lukabu could have on New England's defense. Even though the Patriots allowed the 15th-fewest points per game (21.5) during the 2023 regular season, they still surrendered at least 24 points on eight occasions.
The Patriots could have a better understanding of how Mayo's coaching staff is shaping up later this week. The 37-year-old bench boss is scheduled to have his introductory press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at noon ET, meaning we could have a better idea of where Lukabu stands then.
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