After only one season, the Patriots franchise parted ways with head coach Jerod Mayo after a disappointing 4-13 record this season. Throughout this past season, the Patriots won a total of two home games, upsetting many fans. The franchise is not accustomed to a losing record after the team having a 14-2 record in 2016 followed by a 13-3 record in 2017. The Patriots took action by hiring Mayo’s ex teammate, Mike Vrabel, to officially take over the position for the upcoming season. This change brings hope to improving the team’s overall performance next season.
Coming back to his roots, Vrabel returns to the Patriots as a coach instead of a player. He was a crucial player for the Patriots from 2001-2008, as he helped lead the team to three Super Bowl titles as a linebacker and a defensive end. Although he spent the majority of his time in the NFL with the Patriots, Vrabel also played for the Kansas City Chiefs for one year and the Pittsburgh Steelers for three years. Prior to playing in the NFL, he was a defensive end for Ohio State University. Now, Vrabel takes on a new role as the 16th head coach in Patriots’ history.
Although this is his first time as coach for his former team, Vrabel has previous NFL coaching experience. He spent one year with the Houston Texans as their defensive coordinator from 2017-2018. The Texans ultimately clinched the AFC conference win with a record of 10-7. Not only did he coach for the Texans, but Vrabel also was head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2024. During his six years coaching the Titans, the team had a 54-45 record alongside a 2-3 playoff record. Vrabel led the team to four successful seasons in a row from 2018-2022. Despite this, the Titans decided Vrabel did not align with what the team needed moving forward after two back to back losing seasons.
Compared to previous records of the Patriots, former head coach Bill Belichick had a 333-178 record, including playoff games and a total of 6 Super Bowl titles. Patriots fans hope that Vrabel’s experience on and off the field will help push this team closer to gaining back their title as a football dynasty.
