Even before the New England Patriots fired Jerod Mayo within hours of their 2024 season finale, there was speculation about who would eventually succeed him. One name clearly stood out: Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker and ex-Tennessee Titans head coach.
Just one week after parting ways with Mayo, Vrabel was indeed announced as the 16th head coach in Patriots history. The team quickly went through the hiring process, interviewing only four candidates for the open position before bringing the 49-year-old aboard.
Despite a brief and somewhat unorthodox coaching search, the Patriots are getting rave reviews for hiring Vrabel.