Wednesday’s formal introduction of Jerod Mayo as the New England Patriots head coach was an emotional one for Tommy Austin, Mayo’s head football coach at Kecoughtan High School in Virginia. Austin, who was unable to see Mayo play in-person during his eight-year career with the Pats, was on-hand, with his daughter, to watch his former player’s news conference.
“Other than getting married and having my two children this is the highlight of my life,” said Austin in a story on Patriots.com.
Mayo, who takes over for six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick, played linebacker and running back at Kecoughtan in Hampton, Virginia. Over his last two years, he had 40 tackles for loss while recording 178 total tackles.
Offensively, during his senior year, Mayo ran for over 1,200 yards in just seven games. He scored 13 touchdowns and five two-point conversions.
