Patriots Add Sean McVay Disciple to Jerod Mayo's Coaching Staff

Jerod Mayo has checked off another box as he assembles his first staff as head coach of the New England Patriots. For those Patriots fans waiting anxiously for an announcement of the team's offensive coordinator, they will have to stay patient for the time being as the team continues to conduct an exhaustive search for that position.

Rather, Ian Rapoport reported wednesday morning that Mayo has tabbed Los Angeles Rams assistant special teams coach as New England's special teams coordinator.

Springer, 34, played his college ball at the University of Texas at El Paso. He arrived on campus as a quarterback, but moved to inside linebacker where he would start every game and be named as a team captain. He was so well-respected by his collegiate coaching staff that he served as an assistant in football operations while still suiting up for the Miners.

At the collegiate level, Springer spent four years on UTEP's coaching staff, three years at both Texas A&M and Arizona, and one season at Marshall before making the jump to the NFL level. Springer's NCAA coaching experience was all in the special teams phase of the game.

Springer made the jump to Sean McVay's staff in Los Angeles in 2022, where he served as the team's assistant special teams coach for the last two seasons.

An interesting note, despite a 10-7 record, the Rams ranked dead last in the NFL in 2023 in numerous special teams categories, including kickoff return average, punt return coverage, block field goals allowed and points allowed on special teams. At a quick glance, the Rams 2023 special teams unit isn't exactly one that you would look at and say "we need that coach."

To this point, Mayo (37) has assembled a young staff with his elevation of DeMarcus Covington (35) and now Springer (34). A common criticism of Bill Belichick and his staff was that the game had passed them by, and that Belichick and his staff had been holding onto an archaic approach to the game. It should be interesting to see if this youth movement results in a noticeable philosophical shift in Foxborough.

In other Patriots news: