OFFICIAL: Falcons Announce Interview with Ex Titans Coach Mike Vrabel
The Atlanta Falcons' head coaching search has officially added another name to its already lengthy list.
Atlanta announced Wednesday night it interview recently fired Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel for its head coach vacancy, which arose after firing Arthur Smith on Jan. 7 following three consecutive 7-10 seasons.
Vrabel spent Wednesday at Falcons owner Arthur Blank's house, according to ESPN. He also ventured to Atlanta's facilities, per NFL Network.
Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Vrabel departed Atlanta for Charlotte on Wednesday night, as he's set for an in-person interview with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.
During his six-year stint with the Titans, Vrabel went 54-45, made three trips to the playoffs and won NFL Coach of the Year in 2021, when he guided Tennessee to a 12-5 record.
But the Titans struggled over the past two years, going 7-10 in 2022 and 6-11 this past season.
After making the AFC Championship game in Vrabel's second season, Tennessee lost in the divisional and wildcard rounds, respectively, in the two years that followed.
Prior to becoming Tennessee's head coach, Vrabel was the Houston Texans' defensive coordinator in 2017. He was Houston's linebackers coach from 2014-2016, a tenure that succeeded three years as an assistant coach at Ohio State University - one as linebackers coach, two as defensive line coach.
The 48-year-old Vrabel enjoyed a successful 14-year playing career before entering coaching. He played with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1997-2000, the New England Patriots from 2001-2008 and the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009-2010.
Should Vrabel continue his coaching career, he'd do so while replacing Smith, who was his tight ends coach in 2018 and offensive coordinator from 2019-2020 in Tennessee.
When asked about his relationship with Vrabel earlier this season, Smith said the two talk a lot while praising his former boss.
"Nobody does a better job of getting a team ready than Mike Vrabel," Smith said.
Now, Vrabel, who's the 14th candidate Atlanta's interviewed for its head coach vacancy, may have a chance to get Smith's team ready moving forward.
