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NFL Coach Power Rankings: Where Jay Gruden fits in among the 32 coaches

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 03: Assistant coach, Mike Vrabel of the Houston Texans during a preseason game on September 3, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 03: Assistant coach, Mike Vrabel of the Houston Texans during a preseason game on September 3, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

35. . Head Coach. Tennessee Titans. Mike Vrabel. 23. player

Mike Vrabel is one of the other up-and-coming stars from the 2018 coaching hires. Vrabel is just 43 and has a year of experience as a defensive coordinator under his belt. While his coaching resume may pale in comparison to some other candidates, Vrabel learned a lot during his playing days.

Vrabel had a very good career as an NFL player. He spent 14 seasons in the league as a rush/hybrid linebacker and racked up 11 interceptions and 57 sacks. His best stretch came as a member of the New England Patriots, when he spent eight years with the squad and became a favorite of Bill Belichick. And it’s easy to see why.

Vrabel was a tough player who put forth his best effort every snap he was on the field. He embraced the chance to be a starter, and learned a great deal of the defense. He was one of the smartest linebackers out there, and he was instrumental in helping to build the Patriots dynasty. His reliability and intelligence were borderline unrivaled.

Those same traits have led Vrabel to become a sought after coaching candidate. Before Vrabel became the defensive coordinator for the Texans, he served three years as the team’s linebackers coach. He also was an assistant for three years at Ohio State. But his ascension to the top was rapid, and it began when the 49ers wanted to hire him as a potential defensive coordinator for Chip Kelly‘s staff. Vrabel declined and returned to the Texans.

Eventually, Romeo Crennell was elevated to assistant head coach to clear a path for Vrabel as the defensive coordinator. Teams don’t make that move unless they are afraid they are going to lose a top talent.

On paper, Vrabel’s lone season as the Texans defensive coordinator doesn’t look great (20th in yards allowed and last in scoring). But considering all the injuries that the squad dealt with, it was a solid first season for Vrabel as the coordinator. If he had guys like J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, they would have had a better shot at being competitive.

There is risk associated with bringing in Vrabel, much like the risk associated with handing the job to Steve Wilks. Both don’t have a lot of top level experience, but they have a wealth of other insights that will help them to improve. Plus, both will instill discipline in their respective teams, and that’s something that the Titans will definitely need under Vrabel.

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