Mike Vrabel will look to win his sport’s most coveted prize and etch his name next to some of the most decorated coaches in NFL history when he leads the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 on Feb. 8.
Though he’s only in his first season as the Patriots‘ coach — one in which he quadrupled the team’s win total after a miserable 4-13 campaign in 2024 — Vrabel’s New England roots run deep.
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He played with the franchise for eight of his 14 seasons in the NFL. He was an integral part of the early years of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick dynasty, helping lead the Patriots to three Super Bowl victories. In two of those wins, in Super Bowl 38 and Super Bowl 39, the standout linebacker even had a touchdown reception on a trick play.
REQUIRED READING: See the players, coaches representing Ohio in Super Bowl 60
It was in Ohio, though, where Vrabel’s football journey began.
After a stellar prep career at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Vrabel made the trek down Interstate 71, where he burnished his growing legend at Ohio State. Over his four seasons in Columbus, and before embarking on a Pro Bowl career in the NFL, Vrabel was a two-time All-American who established himself as one of the best defensive players in the Buckeyes‘ decorated history. Fifteen years after he played his final game for Ohio State, he returned to his alma mater to start a coaching career that has now taken him to the biggest stage in football.
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Here’s what to know of Vrabel’s career as both a player and coach at Ohio State football:
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State University OSU football player Mike Vrabel for Fall 1994 season
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State University OSU football player Mike Vrabel for Fall 1994 season
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Randall Brown (56), Mike Vrabel (94) and Ryan Miller (43) combine to stop Purdue’s Edwin Watson on Oct. 22, 1994.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Mike Vrabel vs. Wisconsin on Nov. 8, 1994
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Luke Fickell is swarmed by teammates after intercepting a Michigan pass late in the game to end their hopes of a comeback on Nov. 19, 1994.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Mike Vrabel tests his strength at a midway game at Universal Studios in Orlando. He and the rest of the team were hosted at the movie theme park on Dec. 26, 1994.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Mike Vrabel (94) pulls down Crimson Tide quarterback Jay Barker during the CompUSA Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 2, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State defensive ends Mike Vrabel (left) and Matt Finkes kid around a little during practice on Aug. 16, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Mike Vrabel (94) tackles Pitt’s Demetrius Harris on Sept. 23, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Mike Vrabel (94), Ryan Miller (43) and Obie Stillwell (32) are all smiles after the victory against Wisconsin on Oct. 14, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Mike Vrabel, right, blocks a punt by Purdue’s Rob Deignan on Oct. 21, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Mike Vrabel (94) and Matt Finkes (92) high five after sacking Purdue quarterback John Reeves on Oct. 21, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Mike Vrabel (94) of Ohio State pursues Purdue running back Edwin Watson (36) on Oct. 21, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Jeff Wilson (91) and Mike Vrabell (94) get pressure on Iowa quarterback Matt Sherman on Oct. 28, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Minnesota quarterback Jason Murdock (19) is brought down by Ohio State’s Jeff Wilson (91) and Mike Vrabel (94) on Nov. 4, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Michigan quarterback Brian Griese runs away from Ohio State defensive end Mike Vrabel (94) on Nov. 25, 1995.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
The Ohio State defensive line brings down Rice quarterback Chad Nelson on Sept. 7, 1996. The Buckeyes include Matt Finkes (92), Greg Bellisari (30), Rob Kelly (34) and Mike Vrabel (94).
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Mike Vrabel (94) and Andy Katzenmoyer (45) celebrate over a sacked Minnesota’s Cory Sauter (17) on Nov. 2, 1996.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Mike Vrabel (94) chases down an Indiana Hoosiers runner in Bloomington on Nov. 18, 1996.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Earle Bruce and his familar pork pie hat are silhoutted as he speaks to current Ohio State head coach John Cooper and players Matt Finkes (92) and Mike Vrabel (94).
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Linda Lease of Columbus gets an autograph from Ohio State’s Mike Vrabel before the Buckeyes head to the Rose Bowl on Dec. 25, 1996.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s linebacker coach Mike Vrabel watches during practice on Aug. 8, 2011.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Andrew Sweat (42) and linebacker coach Mike Vrabel, right, shown at football practice August 16, 2011, at Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State Buckeyes coach Mike Vrabel vs. University of Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium, September 3, 2011.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Assistant coach Mike Vrabel gives instructions during a break in an NCAA College football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and University of Toledo Rockets at Ohio Stadium, September 10, 2011.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State Buckeyes coach Mike Vrabel against the Miami Hurricanes during their NCAA college game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Fla., September 17, 2011.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State Buckeyes assistant Mike Vrabel coaches during the NCAA football game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus, September 25, 2011.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer (left) introduces his linebackers coach Mike Vrabel during the intermission of a Buckeyes men’s basketball game on Jan. 15, 2012.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State’s Joel Hale (51) and assistant coach Mike Vrabel enjoy a little celebration of their own after an interception by Doran Grant on Sept. 22, 2012.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State defensive line coach Mike Vrabel watches as cornerback Armani Reeves runs through drills during spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on April 2, 2013.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
From right, Ohio State defensive coaches Mike Vrabel and Luke Fickell and heach coach Urban Meyer motion from the sideline during the NCAA football game against Buffalo at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 31, 2013.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Coach Mike Vrabel high fives Dylan Hershberger, 6, being held by his dad Joe Hershberger of Dalton, Ohio as the team walks into the Skull Session prior to the NCAA football game against San Diego State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 7, 2013.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Defensive line coach Mike Vrabel gives Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Adolphus Washington (92) some advice before the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 7, 2013.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Steve Miller (88) celebrates his sack of San Diego State Aztecs quarterback Quinn Kaehler with defensive line coach Mike Vrabel at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on September 7, 2013.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coach Mike Vrabel jumps with defensive lineman Steve Miller (88) after Miller sacked San Diego’s quarterback in the first quarter of a football game on Sept. 7, 2013 at Ohio Stadium.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Adolphus Washington (92) celebrates with defensive line coach Mike Vrabel in the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 28, 2013. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 31 – 24.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Steve Miller (88) celebrates with coach Mike Vrabel during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN on Saturday, November 2, 2013.
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Mike Vrabel’s journey from Ohio State to New England Patriots coach
Ohio State defensive line coach Mike Vrabel congratulates defensive lineman Steve Miller (88) after making a tackle for a loss during the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. on Nov. 2, 2013.
Where did Mike Vrabel play college football?
Vrabel played college football at Ohio State, where he was a standout defensive end for the Buckeyes from 1993-96.
He was a first-team All-American in his final two seasons there, in 1995 and 1996. In each of those seasons, he was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, becoming the first player in the conference’s history to earn the honor twice. During his career, he twice set the Ohio State single-season record for sacks and tackles for loss. Thirty years after his final game for the Buckeyes, he still holds six program records, including career sacks and tackles for loss.
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In 2012, he was elected to the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Mike Vrabel Ohio State football stats
Over his four seasons at Ohio State, Vrabel finished with 196 total tackles (130 of them solo), 66 tackles for loss, 36 sacks, seven pass break-ups and two interceptions.
Here’s a year-by-year look at his production:
1993: Nine total tackles (six solo), two tackles for loss, two sacks
1994: 68 total tackles (43 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four pass break-ups
1995: 63 total tackles (44 solo), 26 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two interceptions, one pass break-up, one punt return for 18 yards
1996: 56 total tackles (37 solo), 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two pass break-ups
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Mike Vrabel NFL draft
Vrabel was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (No. 91 overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played for the Steelers for four seasons before signing with the Patriots as a free agent in 2001.
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Did Mike Vrabel coach at Ohio State?
Though he was never the head coach or even a coordinator for his alma mater, Vrabel got his start in coaching at Ohio State.
In July 2011, Vrabel retired after a 14-year NFL career to become the linebackers coach for the Buckeyes. After Urban Meyer replaced interim head coach Luke Fickell after the 2011 season, he retained Vrabel and reassigned him to be the defensive line coach. He held that role for two seasons before being hired as the Houston Texans linebackers coach in 2014.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mike Vrabel’s Ohio State football career as player, coach, revisited