The New England Patriots are back on top of the AFC. A big reason for that turnaround is head coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel is no stranger to success in New England. He was once a star linebacker for the Patriots and helped the team win 3 Super Bowls as a player. He was loved by fans during his playing days. Now, he is earning that same respect as a coach.
After retiring from the NFL, Vrabel slowly worked his way up the coaching ladder. His journey included stops in college football and several NFL teams before returning to where it all began.
Vrabel started coaching in 2011 at Ohio State, his alma mater. He joined the staff as the linebackers coach under Luke Fickell. When Urban Meyer took over a year later, Vrabel stayed on and moved to coaching the defensive line. Ohio State was dominant during that stretch, going 14-2 across the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The experience gave Vrabel a strong foundation, but the NFL soon came calling.
In 2014, Vrabel returned to the league with the Houston Texans. He joined Bill O’Brien’s staff as the linebackers coach. The two shared a Patriots background, which made the transition easy. Vrabel spent 3 seasons in that role before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017. That season was rough for Houston, as the team finished 4-12, but Vrabel’s reputation continued to grow around the league.
That led to his first head coaching job in 2018 with the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel made an immediate impact, winning 9 games in his first season. In 2019, he led the Titans on a surprise playoff run that included 2 road upsets and a trip to the AFC Championship Game.
Vrabel enjoyed his best years in Tennessee in 2020 and 2021. The Titans won back-to-back AFC South titles and posted double-digit wins in both seasons. Tennessee even earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC in 2021. Despite the success, the team failed to advance in the playoffs during those years.
Things began to slide in 2022 and 2023. The Titans posted losing records in both seasons and went 13-21 overall during that stretch. After organizational changes, Tennessee decided to move on from Vrabel despite his strong overall record.
Vrabel spent the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns as a coaching consultant. The move allowed him to stay close to home in Ohio while preparing for his next opportunity. Cleveland struggled that year, finishing 3-14, but Vrabel gained valuable behind-the-scenes experience.
In 2025, the Patriots brought Vrabel back to New England as head coach. The move reunited the franchise with a familiar face from its dynasty years. The results were immediate. New England finished 14-3, won the AFC East, and improved by 10 wins from the previous season.
Vrabel never coached under Bill Belichick, but he played under him and understood the culture. His hiring gave the Patriots a bridge between the past and the future.
Through the 2025 season, Vrabel owns a career head coaching record of 68-48. He ranks among the top active coaches in total wins. His 54 victories with the Titans are the third-most in franchise history.
Mike Vrabel’s rise has not been perfect, but it has been steady. From Ohio State to Tennessee and back to New England, he has built his career on toughness, accountability, and winning. And now, he has the Patriots right back where they expect to be.
