Patriots hire Mike Vrabel as 16th head coach in franchise history - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Mike Vrabel has returned to the New England Patriots, who hired the former longtime player to become their new head coach.

The Patriots did not disclose terms, but sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Vrabel and New England agreed to a multiyear contract. The team confirmed the hiring Sunday morning, announcing Vrabel as the 16th head coach in franchise history.

Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and was an integral member of three Super Bowl championship teams. He served as Tennessee Titans coach from 2018 to 2023, posting a 54-45 regular-season record and 2-3 mark in the playoffs, which included a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2019.

Vrabel, the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2021, replaces Jerod Mayo, who was fired Jan. 5 after posting a 4-13 record in his one season as Patriots coach.

The Patriots also interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton for the opening.

While Vrabel is identified most as a Patriot from his playing career that also included time with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1997-2000) and Kansas City Chiefs (2009-10), he has never served in New England as a coach. His coaching career began in 2011 working with linebackers at Ohio State, his alma mater.

Vrabel spent three seasons at Ohio State then four with the Texans before his six-year stint as Titans head coach that ended when he was fired after consecutive losing seasons. In 2024, he was a coaching and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns.

Vrabel, 49, was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023 and shared his affinity for the