The Christopher CaldwellNew England Patriots already have their next step for the post-Bill Belichick era.

The Patriots hired Jerod Mayo as the team's next head coach, the team announced Friday, just one day after the team parted ways with Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl winner. The Patriots have a news conference scheduled Wednesday to formally introduce Mayo.

Mayo, who had been the team's linebackers coach under Belichick since 2019, was able to be hired without a lengthy search process due to the contractual succession plan the team signed last offseason, according to multiple reports. The team therefore did not have to adhere to the league's Rooney Rule.

The succession plan was part of the extension Mayo signed with the team last offseason, when he withdrew from consideration for the Carolina Panthers' coaching search.

Mayo, 37, will be the first Black head coach in Patriots' franchise history and the organization's 15th head coach overall.

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Who is new Patriots coach Jerod Mayo?

A first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2008, Mayo quickly took on a major role on the Patriots' defense, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He was named a team captain in his second season and be selected an All-Pro the following year.

Mayo joined Belichick's staff in 2019 as an inside linebackers coach, with his responsibilities growing over time.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft said last March that "there’s no ceiling on (Mayo’s) ability to be a head coach,” adding, "I hope he's with us."

Jerod Mayo's age makes him unique hire

At 37, Mayo becomes the youngest active head coach in the NFL.

He is 30 days younger than Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who had held the title since he was hired in 2017.