Coaching Carousel: Mike Vrabel to the Patriots

After what might have been the worst season of football in New England since the 90’s, the only way to go is up for the Patriots in the future. Drake Maye seems like he might finally be the guy to fill the enormous shoes that Tom Brady left behind, and now the team must fill the roster with talent to aid him.

But before they fill the gaping hole that is the offensive line, someone who knows what to do with said tools needs to be in the head coaching position, and after Jerod Mayo’s poor first season as a head coach, they have replaced him with former Patriots All-Pro Linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Unlike Mayo, Vrabel is far from new to the coaching scene. Beginning as a Linebacker coach and eventually the defensive line coach at Ohio State, He would get hired in 2014 as a Linebacker coach again, this time by the Houston Texans.

Finally, after his tenure with the team coaching players like J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, he was hired as Head coach of the Tennessee Titans, where he would lead the team to an AFC Championship and their best record in 13 years in 2021 (12-5). This feat would earn him the 2021 Coach of the Year award.

After back-to-back losing seasons, Vrabel would then be released in 2024 by the Titans and spend this year as a coaching consultant for the Cleveland Browns.

That brings us to January 12, 2025 where Vrabel has just been hired as the Pats’ new Head coach for the 2025 season.

Now what does Vrabel bring to the position?

Obviously one is experience and a good resume, but with that comes more stability and an understanding of what needs to be done, and when. Mayo, to no fault of his own, just hadn’t been in the position long enough to know what the right choice was at the right times.

Ok, so what’s next?

2 things: offensive coordinator & a big draft

First, while Vrabel will be helpful in boosting the offense’s potency, whoever the team brings in for the open OC position will be just as important in the team’s future success.

The odds currently lean towards one of the team’s former OCs, Josh McDaniels. While his days as a head coach were nothing to behold, his time with the patriots was undeniably successful, winning 6 Super Bowls with New England.

Last, the Patriots need to invest their capital in this year’s draft very wisely. Find a tackle who can block for Maye, a wide receiver, and possibly an edge rusher (Abdul Carter???).

Are the Patriots going to be contenders next year? No. But is it possible to imagine them going close to .500 with the right decisions? Yes.

Chris Vadnais is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email cmv5562@psu.edu.