Mike Vrabel’s Admission About Coaching Journey Carries Ironic Point

Mike Vrabel could’ve returned earlier than he did.

“The opportunity at one point probably presented itself to be here coaching,” Vrabel said when he was introduced as the Patriots head coach, hinting at a chance to return under then-head coach Bill Belichick.

Appearing on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand” a few minutes later, Vrabel said he spoke with Belichick before he accepted a job with the Houston Texans in 2014. Belichick tried to gauge his interest in coming to Foxboro, Mass., but Vrabel thought it would benefit him to go elsewhere.

“I felt like it was important to forge my own path somewhere else,” Vrabel said during the press conference, “and if all those experiences led me back here at the right time and the right opportunity, then that was going to be what was meant to be.”

Vrabel’s admission carries an ironic point.

His predecessor, Jerod Mayo, was criticized for not taking the same path. Mayo only saw Patriots football as an eight-year player and six-year coach. If Mayo initially ventured outside New England, perhaps those lessons would’ve helped when he took over at the helm. Perhaps Vrabel wouldn’t currently hold the position he does.

Mayo, who was fired after one disastrous season, started coaching three years after he retired from playing. After working for a healthcare company, Mayo joined Belichick’s staff as the inside linebackers coach in 2019 and held that role for four seasons. Mayo then elevated to linebackers coach in 2023, when he called the defense with Steve Belichick. At that time, Mayo already knew he’d be the next head coach of the Patriots.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft added a succession clause in Mayo’s contract which stated he would be the heir apparent to Bill Belichick. Kraft confirmed he did so because he was nervous Mayo, who interviewed for three head-coaching jobs, might leave the organization.

Looking back, that might’ve been the best decision for Mayo. It certainly helped turn Vrabel into the well-respected coach he is.