Mike Vrabel
Coaching Record
| Years Coached | Record | Win % | Playoff record | Playoff win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 85-78-0 | 52.15% | 3-5 | 37.50% |
Coaching Tree
Parents:
Children:
Biography
Table of Contents
Career Summary
Mike Vrabel was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 2014 to 2023, finishing his career as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Over his ten years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 85-78-0. He was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 until the 2023 season, during which time the Titans went 54-45-0. During his career he was a head coach for six seasons.
Career Awards
Vrabel won the NFL's Coach of the Year award in 2021 after guiding the Titans to a 12-5-0 record and a a berth in the playoffs.
Mike Vrabel Coaching Tree
Before he was a head coach, Vrabel served as an assistant coach for Bill O'Brien. He spent four years as an assistant coach to Bill O'Brien, finishing as the defensive coordinator in 2017. During his time as head coach, two assistant coaches, (Matt LaFleur and Arthur Smith) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 87-61-0 in the regular season and 3-4 in the playoffs during their nine seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs.
Playing Career
He was drafted in the third round with the ninety-first pick in the 1997 draft to play linebacker for the Steelers.
Personal Information
Vrabel was born on Thursday, August 14, 1975 in Akron, Ohio.
Table of Contents
Playing Career
College Career
Ohio State University
Mike Vrabel played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1993 to 1996. In 1995 and 1996, he was a member of the All-American team and was awarded Big 10 Defensive Lineman of the Year, becoming the first player to ever win the award twice.
NFL Career
Pittsburgh Steelers
After his distinguished career at Ohio State University, Vrabel was selected in the 3rd round of the 1997 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played four seasons with the Steelers at outside linebacker.
New England Patriots
In the 2001 offseason, he signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots. He was a stalwart on the defensive front, helping the Patriots win three Super Bowls in his first four seasons with the team. His best year with the team came in 2007 when he was named to the All-Pro team following the Patriots’ 18-1 season. In addition to his role on defense, he was also a versatile contributor to the offense, catching 12 touchdown passes as a tight end.
Kansas City Chiefs
Following the 2008 season, Vrabel was traded along with quarterback Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs. Vrabel served as a veteran leader on the team,playing in 2009 and 2010 for the Chiefs to conclude his 14-year playing career.
Coaching Career
College Coaching
Ohio State University
Following the conclusion of his playing days, Vrabel moved to the sideline as a coach for his alma mater. His first role with Ohio State was serving as the linebackers coach for the 2011 season. Next, he spent two years as the defensive line coach for the Buckeyes. During his three seasons he also was crucial to the Buckeyes recruiting efforts, earning national praise as a recruiter in both 2012 and 2013.
NFL Coaching Career
Houston Texans
Vrabel moved to the NFL following the 2013 college season as the linebackers coach for the Houston Texans. His impact was immediate as several linebackers, such as Brian Cushing and Mike Mohamed, had the most successful year of their careers. Vrabel was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2017 season after previous defensive coordinator Wade Romeo Crennel became the assistant head coach of the team. However, the defense struggled, suffering due to key injuries to All-NFL caliber players such as defensive end J.J. Watt.
Tennessee Titans
In January of 2018, Vrabel was hired as the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans after the team failed to come to contractual terms with the previous head coach Mike Mularkey.
History
| Year | Position | Record | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Tennessee Titans | Head Coach | 6-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 2022 Tennessee Titans | Head Coach | 7-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 2021 Tennessee Titans | Head Coach | 12-5-0 | 0-1 |
| 2020 Tennessee Titans | Head Coach | 11-5-0 | 0-1 |
| 2019 Tennessee Titans | Head Coach | 9-7-0 | 2-1 |
| 2018 Tennessee Titans | Head Coach | 9-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 2017 Houston Texans | Defensive Coordinator | 4-12-0 | 0-0 |
| 2016 Houston Texans | Linebackers Coach | 9-7-0 | 1-1 |
| 2015 Houston Texans | Linebackers Coach | 9-7-0 | 0-1 |
| 2014 Houston Texans | Linebackers Coach | 9-7-0 | 0-0 |
Coach history guide
| Seasons with a championship win | Seasons with a conference championship |
Coach facts
- Years as head coach: 6
- Years as a coordinator: 1
- Coach of the Year: 2021
- Third in total wins for the Tennessee Titans.
- Third in winning percentage for the Tennessee Titans.
- Past teams coached for: Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans
- Date of Birth: Thursday, August 14, 1975 (49 years old), Akron, Ohio
- Draft: NFL Draft: 1997, Round 3, Pick 31