The search for the New England Patriots’ new head coach has ended. Mike Vrabel is returning to Foxborough and will take over the vacant seat after Jerod Mayo’s firing.
Fans rejoiced as the Patriots confirmed Vrabel’s impending arrival, as New England wasn’t the only team looking forward to hiring the former Tennessee Titans head coach.
Fans Share Excitement as Mike Vrabel Comes Back to Town
Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots from 2001-2008 and was instrumental in the franchise winning three Super Bowls. Now, his task is to win at least one more as a head coach.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter relayed news of Vrabel’s hiring to New England on X (formerly Twitter):
“Homecoming: Mike Vrabel and the Patriots reached a multi-year agreement to make him New England’s next head coach, per sources,” he tweeted.
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
Fans couldn’t hold back from celebrating and consider this hiring a great move for the entire squad but especially for young quarterback Drake Maye.
“Vrabel should be a great coach for NE,” responded one fan.
“Him and Drake Maye will be special!” a user tweeted.
Him and Drake Maye will be special!
— Buddy Boy Bets (@Buddyboybets) January 12, 2025
“I think this is a great hire for the Patriots. He wasn’t the problem in Tennessee,” added a fan.
“Drake Maye MVP season incoming,” replied one fan.
Drake Maye MVP season incoming https://t.co/iTz1GoKYGG
— Nathan Malensek (@NathanMalensek) January 12, 2025
“Patriots will be a playoff team next year 100%,” added another fan.
“SO BACK. WE GOT OUR KING,” another fan tweeted.
SO BACK. WE GOT OUR KING. https://t.co/eDtAhxttDj
— Cody Lanza (@Codylanza) January 12, 2025
Vrabel Revealed Plans for Coaching His Next Team
During his final season with the Titans, Vrabel was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023. In his speech, the now 49-year-old revealed his coaching mantra, one that he learned in the Patriots halls and is sure to implement in Foxborough.
“We held each other accountable because there was trust, there was an understanding, a respect that you could say things that needed to be said to each other,” he said.
“Every day, that’s what I’m trying to recreate wherever I coach. I don’t know if we’ll get it, but every day, I’m going to try because nothing was more important than the team.”