Super Bowl Champion &
Business Leader
Jerod Mayo is a Super Bowl champion, former New England Patriots head coach and business executive whose career reflects leadership across professional sports and the private sector. From directing an NFL defense to leading players from the sideline and advising companies, Mayo has developed a multifaceted perspective on performance, accountability and organizational culture.
The New England Patriots selected Mayo in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft following his career at the University of Tennessee. He was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, earned two Pro Bowl selections and became a team captain. Mayo spent his entire eight-season playing career with New England and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XLIX.
After retiring, Mayo gained business experience before returning to the Patriots as an assistant coach in 2019. He became the franchise’s first Black head coach in 2024 after several seasons working with New England’s linebackers and defense. In 2026, Mayo returned to the business world as a managing director at Fifth Down Capital, a Boston-area private equity and business capital firm.
Mayo is a compelling speaker for corporate meetings, leadership conferences, football programs, financial organizations and team-building events. His experience as a player, captain, coach, investor and executive allows him to discuss leadership from several perspectives while offering practical insight into communication, preparation, decision-making and managing change.
Teams: New England Patriots