Patrick Kraft hand-picked linebackers Jerod Mayo to be the successor to Bill Belichick in New England years ago.
However, after a 4-13 season, Kraft was ready and willing to admit he was wrong.
It certainly helped that Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker and winner of three Super Bowls with the organization was set to be one of the hottest candidates on the open market this cycle after spending a season on staff with the Browns following a 54-45 record as the Titans head coach from 2018.
The Patriots moved quickly to nab Vrabel, naming him the new head coach on January 12th, 2025 following a flurry of interviews. with other candidates.
INTERVIEWED:
- Ben Johnson (Lions OC)
- Mike Vrabel (Former Titans HC) - *HIRED*
- Byron Leftwich (Former Jags OC)
- Pep Hamilton (Former Texans OC)
DECLINED INTERVIEW
- Aaron Glenn (Lions DC)
We will track who Vrabel brings on board to fill out his staff here.
OFFENSE
- OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Josh McDaniels (former Raiders HC)
OC Interviews / Requests:
Thomas Brown (Bears Interim HC / OC)
Marcus Brady (Chargers PGC)
Josh McDaniels (former Raiders HC)
QUARTERBACKS
Ashton Grant (Browns offensive assistant)
RUNNING BACKS
Tony Dews (Jets RBs)
WIDE RECEIVERS
Todd Downing (Jets QBs / PGC)
OFFENSIVE LINE
Doug Marrone (Boston College senior analyst for football strategy)
TIGHT ENDS / PASS GAME COORDINATOR
Thomas Brown (Bears Interim HC)
Offensive Assistants: Riley Larkin, Chuckie Keeton
Assistant OL: Joason Houghtaling
DEFENSE
- DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Terrell Williams (Lions DL)
DC Interviews
Ryan Crow (Dolphins OLBs)
Terrell Williams (Lions DL) *HIRED*
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Zak Kuhr (Giants defensive assistant)
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
Mike Smith (Vikings OLBs)
DEFENSIVE LINE
Clint McMillan (Titans defensive assistant)
CORNERS
Justin Hamilton (Colts assistant DBs)
SAFETIES
Scott Booker (Titans safeties)
Defensive Assistants: Vinny DePalma, Kevin Richardson, Milton Patterson
Senior Defensive Assistant: Ben McAdoo
SPECIAL TEAMS
- SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR
Jeremy Springer (Patriots STC)
Assistant ST: Tom Quinn
SUPPORT STAFF
John Streicher - Vice President of Football Operations and Strategy