Mike Vrabel, former player and coach for the Tennessee Titans, becomes the new head coach of the New England Patriots.
The New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as their next head coach. The team announced the hiring Sunday morning, just a week after Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo after the team's season finale victory over the Buffalo Bills to finish 4-13 in his lone season as coach. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson also interviewed for the job.
But Vrabel, a fan favorite during eight seasons as a player in New England where he was a member of its first three Super Bowl winners and an inductee into the team's Hall of Fame in 2023, was the preferred candidate because of his long association with the franchise and coaching success during his six seasons in Tennessee. In hiring the 49-year-old Vrabel, Kraft is turning to another former Patriots defensive standout who, like Mayo, built a reputation as a coach for his ability to relate to players. Mayo, who served as assistant under former longtime Patriots coach Bill Belichick, was a first-time head coach and struggled to get results from a young roster led by rookie quarterback Drake Maye. In explaining Mayo's dismissal Kraft said while he thought he'd identified the successor to Belichick, that in hindsight he now believes Mayo wasn't quite ready to be an NFL head coach. Vrabel, however, arrives with a head coaching resume burnished by a 56-48 overall record in Tennessee from 2018 to 2023. That includes a 2-3 record in the playoffs and AFC championship game appearance in 2019 as part of a run of three straight postseason berths. He also served in a consultant role with Cleveland this season, but his contract expired, allowing him to speak with other teams. Vrabel was interviewed by the New York Jets, but the lure of New England won out, and now he will look to rebuild the franchise he's been associated with most during his NFL career
VRABEL PATRIOTS COACHING TENNESSEE NFL
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mike Vrabel Returns Home as New England Patriots Head CoachMike Vrabel has been named the next head coach of the New England Patriots, signing a multi-year deal. Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker, takes over after the team parted ways with Jerod Mayo just one year into his tenure.
Read more »
Mike Vrabel Returns to Patriots as Head CoachFormer Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is heading back to New England to take the helm of the Patriots.
Read more »
Mike Vrabel Returns to Patriots as Head CoachFormer Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel is back in Foxborough as the new head coach. Vrabel spent six seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans before joining the Cleveland Browns as a consultant this past year.
Read more »
Mike Vrabel Returns to Patriots as Head CoachThe New England Patriots have appointed former player Mike Vrabel as their new head coach, succeeding Jerod Mayo. Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, brings extensive coaching experience from his time leading the Tennessee Titans.
Read more »
Mike Vrabel Expected to Return to Patriots as Head CoachFormer Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is likely to return to the New England Patriots after being let go by the Titans. Vrabel previously played for the Patriots and has since served as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns.
Read more »
Patriots Coaching Search Heats Up, Vrabel Expected to be Named Next Head CoachThe New England Patriots are nearing a decision in their head coaching search, with Mike Vrabel emerging as the frontrunner. The team has interviewed several candidates, including Ben Johnson, Byron Leftwich, Pep Hamilton, and Vrabel himself. Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker and current Tennessee Titans head coach, is highly favored to take the helm in New England.
Read more »