Pats Legend Turned Down Offer to Join 2024 Coaching Staff

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo made a ton of changes to the coaching staff after the franchise parted ways with Bill Belichick. Mayo brought in new coordinators/coaches on both sides of the ball, including Dont’a Hightower, who was hired as an inside linebackers coach. 

The first-year head coach kept Matthew Slater in the organization after he officially retired from the NFL after spending a decade-plus with the Patriots.

However, Hightower and Slater aren’t the only former Patriots players that Mayo wanted to bring aboard to the coaching staff.

Former Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty, who played in New England for three seasons, was asked by Mayo to join the coaching staff, but he respectfully declined the offer.

“He tried to get me to coach. That’s his thing with all the older guys,” McCourty said to Kay Adams on Up and Adams. Mayo also said “I don’t know if they’ll walk in back to play, but we got a spot for them on the staff,” according to McCourty. 

“But, nah those hours aren’t meant for my life right now,” the Pats legend said. McCourty spent 13 years with New England, where he helped win three Super Bowls and was named to the Pro Bowl twice.

Even though McCourty declined the offer from Mayo, it’s good to see the first-year head coach trying to create a new culture with New England by bringing guys back, who have played there before and understand what it means to be a Patriot.

After a disappointing 2023 season, it appears better days are on the horizon for Mayo and Co. as they look to create new moments in 2024.

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