Eric Boggs
The dismissal of former Ohio State football player Mike Vrabel as head coach of the Tennessee Titans came as a shock to many. Vrabel, widely recognized as one of the top coaches in the NFL, had even earned the prestigious title of NFL Coach of the Year in 2021. His sudden firing just two seasons later was unexpected.
Even more surprising was Vrabel’s struggle to secure another head coaching position. Despite his impressive track record, he found himself sidelined for reasons many considered trivial. Currently, Vrabel has taken on a consultant role with the Cleveland Browns for the upcoming NFL season. However, his future prospects remain promising, and he is expected to have another shot at a head coaching position next year.
Ohio State football fans are particularly interested in Vrabel’s career trajectory. Should current head coach Ryan Day fail to achieve success this year, especially if he loses to Michigan again, his position may be in jeopardy. In such a scenario, many fans hope the university will pursue Vrabel as a potential successor. In a recent interview, Vrabel did not entirely dismiss the idea of returning to college coaching.
Vrabel’s Openness to College Coaching
In an interview on “Pardon My Take,” Vrabel was asked if he would consider a return to college coaching. While he acknowledged the numerous challenges and changes in the college game, he did not rule out the possibility. Vrabel’s coaching style, characterized by maximizing the potential of less-talented rosters, could be a significant asset for Ohio State, which has faced challenges in this area in recent seasons.
While it remains uncertain whether Vrabel will ever return to college coaching, the financial incentives Ohio State could offer might be persuasive if Day is fired. Vrabel could potentially assume a CEO-like role, similar to Day’s current position, delegating responsibilities to his assistants while overseeing the overall program.
Ultimately, most Ohio State fans hope Ryan Day can turn things around this year and secure his position for the long term. Nonetheless, the possibility of Vrabel’s return to his alma mater remains an intriguing prospect for the Buckeyes’ future.
A Distinguished Playing and Coaching Career
Mike Vrabel’s journey began at Ohio State, where he was a standout player, earning consensus All-American honors. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. In his four years with the Steelers, Vrabel was primarily a reserve player. His career took a significant turn when he joined the New England Patriots as a free agent in 2001.
With the Patriots, Vrabel became an integral part of their early 2000s defenses, contributing to three Super Bowl victories and earning First-team All-Pro honors. Known for his versatility, Vrabel also made history by scoring receiving touchdowns in consecutive Super Bowls (XXXVIII and XXXIX), becoming the only primarily defensive player to achieve this feat. His NFL playing career concluded with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played until 2010.
After retiring as a player, Vrabel transitioned into coaching. He returned to Ohio State as the linebackers and defensive line coach for three seasons. His NFL coaching career began in 2014 with the Houston Texans, where he served as linebackers coach and later as defensive coordinator. In 2018, Vrabel became the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, a position he held until January 9, 2024.
Following his departure from the Titans, Vrabel joined the Cleveland Browns as a Coaching and Personnel Consultant. This role allows him to stay involved in the NFL while considering future opportunities, including a potential return to college coaching.
As the Buckeyes gear up for the 2024 season, Ryan Day’s performance will be closely watched. Should Day falter, Ohio State fans may well turn their hopes towards a familiar face—Mike Vrabel. Vrabel’s current situation mirrors that of former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, who found himself in a similar position in 2011 after leaving the Florida program in 2010. Meyer eventually took the head coaching position at Ohio State following the conclusion of the disappointing 2011 season. This parallel adds another layer of intrigue to Vrabel’s potential return to his alma mater.
