The New England Patriots made the first move in the 2025 NFL coaching carousel this weekend when they officially named Mike Vrabel as the franchise's 16th head coach. Vrabel was among the hottest commodities on the market— and also interviewed with the New York Jets and Chicago Bears before landing in New England.

Vrabel made his own path by first serving as a linebackers coach for Ohio State in 2011. He also worked as a defensive line coach for that program in 2012 and 2013 before taking his talents to to NFL, where he worked under Bill O’Brien with the Texans as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator.

Players and opponents would do well not to go at new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Former Pats QB Brian Hoyer knows that well.