Seeing as Mike Vrabel went from highly regarded HC to trade candidate to bumped off this year’s carousel entirely, potential reasoning behind the ex-Titans boss’ standing is certainly relevant. Vrabel’s old-school, intimidating style may have been a factor in him not landing a job, with a GM going so far as to mention to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini this even could even extend to his physical stature. The former NFL linebacker also may have found himself pigeonholed as a slightly older candidate, even at 48, than some owners wanted, Russini offered during an appearance on The Athletic Football Show. Only Jim Harbaugh (60) and Dan Quinn (53) was older among this year’s eight HC hires. Vrabel interviewed for the Falcons, Panthers and Chargers’ jobs.
Some teams were interested in hiring Vrabel as a defensive coordinator, Russini adds, but the six-year NFL HC has not been connected to any specific coordinator jobs. With not many DC positions left, Vrabel seems likely to join Bill Belichick as coaches on the outside looking in this year. Vrabel may stand to have a better chance of landing another HC job moving forward, with Belichick set to turn 72 in April. For now, however, he is out of the league. The reports about Vrabel clashing with Titans ownership may have impacted his chances as well.
Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:
- On the subject of coaching clashes, Vic Fangio‘s style did not appear to draw universal praise while with the Dolphins. Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland and rookie Cam Smith expressed issues with the veteran DC, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Beasley notes. While praising Fangio’s old-school demands, Tyreek Hill also relayed a rumor about others indicating behind closed doors the team’s 2023 DC wanted to return to Philadelphia. Previously mentioned as rubbing some in Miami the wrong way, Fangio is indeed back with the Eagles. The Dolphins have hired ex-Ravens D-line coach Anthony Weaver to replace him.
- Preparing to hire Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator, the Saints will not extend Doug Marrone‘s second stint with the team into the 2024 season. In place as the Saints’ offensive line coach from 2022-23, Marrone will not be asked back, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football tweets. The Saints have veteran O-line coach John Benton as a frontrunner to fill the spot, NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson adds. Benton, 60, would be a logical hire. He worked as Gary Kubiak‘s O-line coach for eight years in Houston and was the 49ers’ O-line coach under Kyle Shanahan from 2017-20. After following Robert Saleh to New York in 2021, Benton spent this past season out of football.
- Former Falcons assistants Steve Jackson and Frank Bush will be part of new Titans DC Dennard Wilson‘s staff, ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport tweets. A former Texans DC and interim Jets DC, Bush was on Arthur Smith‘s Falcons staff as linebackers coach for three years. This will be a return trip for Jackson, who has a history as a player and a coach with the franchise. A former Oilers cornerback, Jackson finished his career in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. He later served as assistant DBs coach under Mike Mularkey in Tennessee from 2016-17. Jackson spent the past two seasons with the Falcons.
- The Bills are moving senior defensive assistant Al Holcomb to a position coach role. The former Panthers DC will replace Bobby Babich as Buffalo’s linebackers coach, ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg notes. Babich is now Buffalo’s DC. Holcomb, who worked with Sean McDermott in Carolina, joined the Bills last year. The AFC East champs are also promoting Marcus West from assistant defensive line coach to D-line coach to replace Eric Washington, who became the Bears’ DC last month.
Vrabel isn’t any bigger than Anthony Weaver, but Weaver is known for having a charismatic and generous personality. Vrabel’s size might read differently because he’s more known for bluntly insisting on his way–which actually seems to work well with a lot of players, but maybe it doesn’t ingratiate him to owners and execs.
After reading the article on another site, it seemed to me that the anonymous executive who was quoted seemed like he was explaining from an observer’s perspective. It seemed like he was offering his theory that Vrabel basically seemed intimidating to the non-football executives. I would agree with you that Vrabel’s demeanor-or perceived demeanor, rather-might have done it.
It’s a silly concern to have, if it’s true, for a whole truckload of reasons (after all, Dan Campbell is actually slightly bigger, and perhaps just as intense or more so). Reading the executive’s comments, it seemed to me that he was analyzing the others’ reactions from an unfavorable point of view…which, if he was right, I’d certainly agree with.
Having observed the Vrabel experience in Nashville for a few years, I’m just gonna say; No, he’s not perfect and a bit of a bull in a china shop, but both he and former GM, Robinson, had to operate under one of the worst owners in the game in Amy Strunk. She’s a diva and absolutely clueless about the game but still inserted herself into football decisions she was not qualified to make.
The Vrabel issue may be the most stupid thing I’ve ever read, at least in the topic of sports. What, is he going to beat up the GM if he doesn’t get hired?
Exactly right. How many 5’11” 100+lbs players make it in the league, besides punters and kickers?
Carolina was afraid that if they hired Vrabel he might feel snacky one day and eat Bryce Young.
They should be more considered about his ability to block for Bryce Young.
Maybe the Bucs could squeeze Vrabel in somewhere
His record was 13-21 over the last two years that’s why he didn’t get a job. It had nothing to do with him being intimidating. His record with the Titans was worse than Jeff Fisher over the same amount of years but at least Fisher went to a Superbowl. The only reason he had early success was he had the best RB in the league but squandered that, he was too busy kissing Kraft’s Fanny trying to position himself for the Pats that he got burned.
Danny, hardly the reason. I’m willing to bet his team started the downward spiral is due to the team signing Tannehill. That stiff sucks as a qb with Miami and Tennessee except for a couple of years.
Exactly, Danny. he influenced the signing of some of the worst draft picks and free agents, especially on the O-line and receivers. He hired incompetent buddies to be his coordinators and coaches. They had the worst injuries by far in the league over a three year period. The guy was a big fat zero who rode in on the good signings of GM J-Rob early in his tenure that included King Henry and a good O-line.. Tannehill was not the problem. The problem was the awful O-line the last three years that gave his old style play action passing scheme zero time for Tannehill to get the ball out along with some of the worst receivers in the league (Hopkins excluded) after they screwed up and let Brown leave. They could not get quick separation so Tannehill forced things and got burned.
The NFL execs know more than many people give them credit. His azz his sitting at home as a HC. He will get a job as a DC eventually.