The Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as head coach No. 16 in program history.

Watch Vrabel’s introductory press conference LIVE here and read the Herald’s complete coverage of Mayo’s firing and the 2024 season at our Patriots homepage.

The Patriots Hall of Famer and ex-Titans head coach was considered the team’s top candidate as soon as they fired Jerod Mayo an hour after the team’s Week 18 win over the Bills.

Vrabel returns to the same organization where he played as a versatile linebacker from 2001 to 2008 and helped win three Super Bowl championships. He spent the 2024 season with the Browns as a coaching and personnel assistant after being fired as the Titans’ head coach after the 2023 season.

He assembled a 54-45 record in six seasons with the Titans with two playoff wins, including one against the Patriots in Tom Brady’s final game in New England. He picked up the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year honor after going 12-5 with the Titans. He was fired after a 6-11 campaign in 2023.