Titans head coach Mike Vrabel signs autographs before a game against the Seahawks in Nashville, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.

The New England Patriots Hire Mike Vrabel as Head Coach for the 2025 Season

A familiar face will come back home as head coach next season

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel signs autographs before a game against the Seahawks in Nashville, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.

The New England Patriots wasted no time making moves for the 2025 NFL season. Less than a week after the end of the regular season and the dismissal of their previous head coach, Jerod Mayo, the AFC East franchise has announced Mike Vrabel as their new head coach.

Homecoming: Mike Vrabel and the Patriots reached a multi-year agreement to make him New England’s next head coach, per sources.

Vrabel now is the seventh individual to become the head coach for a franchise he once helped win a Super Bowl as a player, joining Jerod Mayo, Bart… pic.twitter.com/LR3cpdHNQf
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2025

Highly sought after by several teams in need of a head coach for the upcoming season, Mike Vrabel ultimately chose to return to familiar territory with the New England Patriots. Vrabel knows the organization well, having played as a linebacker for the team for eight seasons (2001–2008). During that time, he won three Super Bowl championships and established himself as a key figure in the Patriots’ dynasty.

Vrabel’s coaching career began in 2017 as the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. He then served as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023. During his tenure with the Titans, he led the team to three playoff appearances and was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2021.

Under Vrabel’s leadership, the Patriots will aim to accelerate their rebuilding process. While the quarterback position seems secure with the emergence of Drake Maye, there are still significant areas that need attention. The responsibility of addressing these challenges now falls to the Patriots’ new head coach.

Photo Credit © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mike Vrabel

New England Patriots

Charles Taudin

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Global Editorial Chief of The Playoffs, I created The Free Agent, which became The Playoffs FR, in 2020 during the pandemic. A longtime fan of the four major American sports, I now oversee the editorial strategy and social media for all versions of The Playoffs. I still occasionally write about sports I’m particularly passionate about, such as the NFL or MLB. If there’s one thing you should remember: Eli Manning is the true GOAT for beating Tom Brady twice.