Mike Vrabel Appointed as the 16th Head Coach in New England Patriots' Franchise History

Mike Vrabel has returned to the New England Patriots as their new head coach. The Patriots announced his hiring as the 16th head coach in franchise history, following a multiyear contract agreement. Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker from 2001 to 2008, helped win three Super Bowls. Previously, he coached the Titans (2018-2023), achieving a 54-45 record with a 2019 AFC Championship appearance and earned NFL Coach of the Year in 2021.

Mike Vrabel looks on from the sideline

Vrabel replaces Jerod Mayo, who was let go after a 4-13 season. Vrabel was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023, expressing his fondness for the organization. Highlighting his strategic prowess, he famously used a rule loophole to help the Titans defeat the Patriots in a 2020 playoff. Vrabel stated, "We held each other accountable, because there was trust...nothing was more important than the team," aiming to instill the same values in his coaching career.