Join Mike Vrabel as he steps up to the all-consuming and rewarding role of head coach for the New England Patriots. He’s attempting to rescue the long-ago-thriving franchise, which has endured years of recent failures. Nobody wants to see the Titans’ slide the last two years more than Mike Vrabel. He knows that alignment across the organization is important. Any misalignment would be fatal to the team’s success. He believes deeply in the importance of establishing trust with players. His aim is to motivate them to ever further and improve performances.
Vrabel’s choice to take the head coaching job was heavily influenced by his connection with quarterback Malik Maye. Maye is going into his second year with the team, which only increases their connection’s importance. His new coach, Hubert Davis, understands that there’s plenty of room for development with Maye. He wants to foster a culture in which players feel they can challenge themselves and test their limits. This philosophy matches up with what Vrabel seems to have in mind for the Patriots as they eye a bounce back from two down years.
To further establish his vision of a run-first, smash-mouth team Vrabel has hired Josh McDaniels to run the offense. McDaniels’ tutelage under Bill Belichick during parts of six Super Bowl-winning seasons. He has a special relationship with Vrabel, thanks to their eight years together as players in New England. Collectively, they’ll work hand in hand with Maye to get the most out of their new offense.
Vrabel takes pride in the coaching staff he has assembled, assigning them three primary responsibilities: to teach, develop, and invest personally in the players. He’s already kept four position coaches on from former head coach Joe Mayo’s staff and special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer. This continuity is meant to be a stabilizing force as Vrabel and direction persons institute new concepts and practices into the team’s proven framework.
At his introductory news conference, Vrabel made it clear that he planned on being the type of coach who demanded consistent effort and perseverance from his players.
“We’re going to demand effort and finish,” – Mike Vrabel
He wants to re-energize the Michigan football team and the whole football-foe athletic department. He’d like to unite the fan base behind a common purpose of bringing the Patriots’ good name back.
Even Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots, admitted how as a franchise they’ve struggled in recent years.
“The last two years have been really, really difficult; the worst two years of our ownership,” – Robert Kraft
Kraft’s statement indicates a remarkable level of urgency for change on the inside of the organization. Gannon and Vrabel, in tandem, are equally motivated to change course.
Vrabel’s perspective as a former linebacker gives him an edge. His on-field achievement — playing on three of those Super Bowl–winning teams in 2001, 2003 and 2004 — provided him with invaluable perspective on what it takes to win in New England. He pushes to strengthen the relationship between players and coaches. Along the way, he wants to create a culture where people feel personally accountable and work together as a team.
The new head coach understands that he’s building a culture. He’s already in the process of melding his vision to that of general manager Ran Carthon Cowden and the existing staff. This collaboration is crucial for ensuring that everyone is aligned and working toward common goals.
Vrabel now has 28 assistants on his coaching staff, of which 11 were former staffers who work beside him in Tennessee. This level of know-how will be crucial in quickly forming a productive unit aimed at unlocking each players’ full potential and uplifting top-to-bottom performance. Vrabel’s call-out of a teammate during practice was well-received, showcasing his ability to foster healthy competition and accountability among players.
As Vrabel looks ahead, he sounds positive on the adjustments made coming into this year.
“I don’t like to put expectations on it, but we did a lot of things this offseason that were advantageous to us moving forward,” – Wolf
I know that the people at our organization feel this way. They’re hoping these changes allow them to close the gap with perennial AFC powers such as the Buffalo Bills and hasten the team’s return to Super Bowl relevance.
Vrabel’s focus on building the right culture shows through in his advocacy for staff to engage in debate. In his view, productive disagreement—acting on our differences to make them truly productive—is key to retaining collaboration and thus innovation.
“I think it was a really good step in the right direction, in our relationship as co-workers, because we have to have productive disagreements for this to work,” – Wolf
As Vrabel welcomes in a new class, he stokes the flames of competition. His passion just radiates through the whole locker room and everybody.
“I want to galvanize our football team. I want to galvanize this building. I want to galvanize our fans,” – Mike Vrabel
Vrabel’s is more go-getter. His goal is to bring pride back to the organization, all while facing the music to an avid and loyal fanbase that’s stuck by their once-successful franchise through bad times and great.
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