The New England Patriots have only ever known Bill Belichick as the head coach for the team. Many players have noticed that major differences this off season with new head coach Jerod Mayo. For many of the players, they have welcomed the new culture that is brewing for the team, but one of the top defensive players revealed that he misses one thing about Belichick.
New England Patriots Defender Misses Bill Belichick
When speaking with the media during the week, Patriots defensive end Keion White revealed that he misses Bill Belichick’s hard ass style of coaching. He admitted that he liked when Belichick would be cussing out all the players for making mistakes. He can clearly tell that it is a new era in New England with Bill not there to be cursing players out.
“We don’t got Bill cursing us out every play anymore…” White said, via MassLive.
When reporters pressed White on what this matter, White explained that he loves that style of coaching and that Bill always brought out the best in him with that style. He followed that up with saying that Mayo has been doing “a really good job” of creating a new energy in the locker room and coaching in his own way.
White has all of the respect in the world for Mayo because of that:
“I know, I miss it… I like Bill. He’s my type of coach, like a hard-ass. I like that,” White said. “I respond well to things like that. Mayo’s done a pretty good job too. It’s all different. Mayo’s doing a really good job of staying true to himself, not trying to fill somebody else’s shoes, but create his own path, and I really respect that.”
It must be incredibly new for these Patriot players that have only ever known the Belichick way. While there have been many players that have come out against the old school coaching style that Belichick had, it is clear that some players loved that style and it brought out the best in them.
White clarified his remarks by saying that he responds to and respects any coaching style so long as it is authentic to the coach themselves. To be the leader of 53 powerful athletes requires authenticity, as these players can smell an imposter from miles away. White thinks Mayo has been doing just that as he describes him as stand up and genuine guy.
“For me, I can respond to any coaching style as long as you’re genuine,” White said. “So if you’re a friendly coach, and you try to be a hard ass, I’m gonna see through that and challenge the (expletive). And if you’re a hard-ass coach and trying to be super friendly because you’re trying to cater to certain players, I’m gonna see through that. I’d much rather you just be yourself and be who you are – and that’s what Mayo’s doing and I respect that.”
While Belichick is gone, it is clear that the team still has a lot of memories from his time with the team. His legacy will always be tied to the Patriots franchise.
Related: Bill Belichick Mourns The Death Of NFL Legendary Coach
