The Tennessee Titans’ surprising firing of coach Mike Vrabel on Tuesday was far from the biggest story in a week dominated by seismic coaching news, but it was unexpected nevertheless.
The move seemed like a possible precursor to Vrabel’s returning to the New England Patriots as the successor to Bill Belichick, after the franchise parted ways with the legendary coach on Thursday. After all, Vrabel played eight of his 14 NFL seasons with the Patriots.
Instead, New England owner Robert Kraft elected to make a hire from within Belichick’s staff, promoting linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to the position Friday. Mayo, like Vrabel, was a standout linebacker in Belichick’s defense before entering the coaching ranks.
