Michael George Vrabel is an American football coach and former linebacker who played for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently serving as a Coaching and Personnel Consultant for the Cleveland Browns, providing guidance and expertise in various aspects of coaching and player evaluation. Vrabel's extensive experience as a player and coach makes him a valuable asset to the Browns organization.
On August 14, 1975, Michael George Vrabel was born in Akron, Ohio.
The NFL began officially recording sacks in 1982.
In 1986, William "Refrigerator" Perry became the first defensive player to score an offensive touchdown in Super Bowl XX.
Mike Vrabel graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in 1993.
Mike Vrabel started playing college football at Ohio State University as a defensive end in 1993.
Mike Vrabel received his first Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year award in 1995.
In his senior year, 1996, Mike Vrabel was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American for his performance on the Ohio State football team.
In 1997, Mike Vrabel was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the NFL draft.
Mike Vrabel made his NFL debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1997.
During the 1998 NFL season, Mike Vrabel recorded 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
In the 1999 NFL season, Mike Vrabel had 9 tackles and two sacks.
In 2000, Mike Vrabel was honored as a member of the Ohio State Football All-Century Team.
Mike Vrabel finished the 2000 NFL season with 15 tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery.
Mike Vrabel signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent in 2001.
Mike Vrabel played in every game for the New England Patriots in 2001, starting in 12.
Mike Vrabel caught a touchdown pass during the 2002 NFL Season.
During the 2004 NFL Season, Mike Vrabel caught two touchdown passes.
Mike Vrabel scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVIII, becoming the first defensive player to score an offensive touchdown in a Super Bowl since William "Refrigerator" Perry in 1986.
On December 26, 2005, Mike Vrabel became the first player since 1982 to have two touchdown catches and a sack in the same game.
Mike Vrabel caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl XXXIX, becoming one of 17 players to catch two or more touchdown passes in Super Bowls.
Mike Vrabel caught three touchdown passes in the 2005 NFL season.
Mike Vrabel moved to inside linebacker for the New England Patriots in 2005.
Mike Vrabel filled in at inside linebacker again in 2006 after Junior Seau's injury.
Mike Vrabel was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in December 2007.
Mike Vrabel caught two touchdown passes during the 2007 NFL season.
In January 2008, Mike Vrabel was named to the NFL All-Pro Team for the 2007 season.
The New England Patriots traded Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs on February 27, 2009.
Mike Vrabel caught a touchdown pass in the 2009 NFL season.
Mike Vrabel caught his final touchdown pass in the NFL during the 2010 season.
Mike Vrabel retired from professional football in 2010.
Mike Vrabel played his final season in the NFL in 2010.
Mike Vrabel retired from the NFL and became the linebackers coach at Ohio State on July 10, 2011.
On December 21, 2011, Mike Vrabel was named the defensive line coach at Ohio State.
Mike Vrabel was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
On January 10, 2014, the Houston Texans hired Mike Vrabel as their linebackers coach.
Mike Vrabel began his NFL coaching career in 2014 as the linebackers coach for the Houston Texans.
Mike Vrabel received an offer to become the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in January 2016 but declined.
The Houston Texans promoted Mike Vrabel to defensive coordinator in January 2017.
On January 20, 2018, Mike Vrabel was hired as the head coach for the Tennessee Titans on a five-year contract.
Mike Vrabel achieved his first victory as a head coach on September 16, 2018, when the Titans defeated the Houston Texans with a score of 20-17.
On September 30, 2018, Vrabel led the Titans to a 26-23 overtime win against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, in a surprising Week 4 upset.
Vrabel and the Titans triumphed over the New England Patriots, coached by his former long-time mentor Bill Belichick, with a decisive 34-10 win on November 11, 2018.
In 2018, Mike Vrabel was named the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
In September 2019, Carter Vrabel, son of Mike Vrabel, committed to playing baseball at Wabash Valley College.
The Titans concluded the 2019 season with a 9-7 record, mirroring their performance from the previous year. However, this time, their record was strong enough to secure a playoff spot as the sixth seed.
In recognition of his exceptional coaching throughout the 2021-2022 NFL season, Mike Vrabel was honored with the prestigious AP Coach of the Year award.
Tyler Vrabel, having played as an offensive lineman for the Boston College Eagles football team for three years, decided to enter the 2022 NFL draft. Although undrafted, he was later signed by the Atlanta Falcons during the preseason.
Following a disappointing 6-11 season record in 2023-2024, Mike Vrabel was let go from his position as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Mike Vrabel's time as head coach of the Tennessee Titans concluded in 2023.
On January 9, 2024, Mike Vrabel left his position as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Despite not securing a coordinator or head coaching position during the offseason, Mike Vrabel was appointed as a Coaching and Personnel Consultant for the Cleveland Browns on March 15, 2024.
In 2024, Vrabel was present at the NFL Scouting Combine representing the Browns organization, several weeks prior to officially assuming his role within the team.