The New England Patriots enjoyed decades of stability at the head coaching position, but for the third time in three seasons, they will have a new man lurking on the sidelines. That's because the team announced Sunday it has decided to part ways with Jerod Mayo after just one season on the job after succeeding Bill Belichick in Foxborough.

Owner Robert Kraft announced the firing in a statement shortly after New England closed its 4-13 season with a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Jerod Mayo was the hand picked heir to Bill Belichick. When New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired his six-time Super Bowl winning head coach last winter, he didn't have to go through an official job search;

There was no tanking from Jerod Mayo and the Patriots in Week 18, as they beat the Bills and cost the organization the top overall pick in the NFL Draft.