The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with Mike Vrabel to become
their new coach, the team announced Saturday.
Vrabel, who will be the franchise’s 19th head coach, replaces Mike
Mularkey, who was fired earlier this week despite going 9-7 and
making the playoffs. Tennessee will introduce Vrabel at a press
conference Monday.
“I have always had a great deal of respect for Mike as a player and
as a coach,” Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a
statement. “I saw him up close as a player for the Patriots and saw
how he prepared himself to be successful on a daily basis. He was
the ultimate team-first player, and he embodies that same mindset
as a coach. He is intelligent, energetic, detailed and a leader
whose deep passion for this game will resonate with our players.”
Vrabel, a former linebacker, spent 14 years as an NFL player and
the last four as an assistant coach. His playing career included
three Super Bowl wins as a member of the New England Patriots
(2001, 2003 and 2004), one Pro Bowl selection (2007) and an All-Pro
honor (2007).
Vrabel played with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1997-2000), Patriots
(2001-08) and Kansas City Chiefs (2009-10). In 206 NFL games, he
had 57 sacks, 496 tackles, 11 interceptions, 20 forced fumbles,
nine fumble recoveries and 10 touchdown receptions. In 20 playoff
games, he had eight sacks and two touchdown receptions.
“I am excited to get to work and that work starts now,” said Vrabel
in a statement. “We want to build a culture around winning,
competitiveness and toughness. Everything we do is going to be
geared towards winning and being physical. We want to prepare our
players so they know what to do, which will allow them to play fast
and aggressive.”