Who will replace Bill Belichick as next coach of Patriots? Keep an eye on these familiar faces
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By Frank O'Laughlin
FOXBORO, Mass. — With legendary head coach Bill Belichick officially done in New England, all eyes will quickly turn to the search for his replacement.
While there is no shortage of candidates to fill Belichick’s spot, there are a few names with Foxboro ties worth keeping close tabs on moving forward.
Buffalo Bills v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 22: Former player Mike Vrabel speaks during a New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony during halftime of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FILE - Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk talks with head coach Mike Vrabel before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. Strunk wants a fresh approach to compete in the NFL, so she fired coach Vrabel on Tuesday morning, Jan. 9, 2024, after six seasons and losing 18 of the past 24 games.
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File) (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)
Mike Vrabel" The Titans have parted way with the coach after six seasons. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Titans Vrabel Football FILE - Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel watches play on the Jumbotron during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk wants a fresh approach to compete in the NFL, so she fired Vrabel on Tuesday morning, Jan. 9, 2024, after six seasons and losing 18 of the past 24 games. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File) (Wade Payne/AP)
Titans Vrabel Football FILE - Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk talks with head coach Mike Vrabel before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. Strunk wants a fresh approach to compete in the NFL, so she fired coach Vrabel on Tuesday morning, Jan. 9, 2024, after six seasons and losing 18 of the past 24 games. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File) (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)
Titans Texans Football Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel looks out from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip/AP)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel responds to questions during a news conference after the team's NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (George Walker IV/AP)
Jaguars Titans Football Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel argues a call during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (George Walker IV/AP)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel looks up from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (George Walker IV/AP)
Tennessee Titans v Washington Commanders LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 09: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans watches the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on October 09, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Tennessee Titans v Denver Broncos Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks on in the first quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 14, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Arizona Cardinals GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 12: Coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 27-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots looks on against the Denver Broncos during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 14, 2012, in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Left to right: Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels, Jerod Mayo (Getty) (Left to right: Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels, Jerod Mayo (Getty))
Los Angeles Chargers v Las Vegas Raiders LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders walks off the field after warmups before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders v Detroit Lions DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on in the second half of a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 30, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels addresses the media after the NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya/AP)
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders Training Camp Jul 31, 2023; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniel during training camp at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports - 21119589 (USA TODAY USPW/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers Sep 11, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis (left) and coach Josh McDaniels during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports - 19029197
Las Vegas Raiders v Tennessee Titans NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on from the sidelines in the third quarter of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders Mandatory Minicamp HENDERSON, NEVADA - JUNE 07: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks during a news conference after the first day of mandatory minicamp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on June 07, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator, New England Patriots: Last year, New England lost their top five receivers, McDaniels still built the NFL's seventh-ranked offense. It helps to have Tom Brady as quarterback. McDaniels had mild success as the Denver Broncos' head coach. He and Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff have a history with New England.
First on their list? New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels looks on during the game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots reacts after winning the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots communicates during Super Bowl LIII practice at Georgia Tech Brock Practice Facility on January 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Mike Vrabel
Vrabel, 48, was fired Tuesday after back-to-back losing seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Before that, the Patriots Hall of Fame member coached the Titans to two division titles and three playoff appearances.
Vrabel played eight seasons with the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, winning three Super Bowl titles and earning a First-team All-Pro during his tenure.
In an attempt to quiet the raucous cheers from the Foxboro faithful when he took the field for the halftime ceremony, Vrabel shouted “Come on We’ve got a game to win! I can’t be up here that long!”
Jerod Mayo
Mayo, 37, was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2008 draft and began his coaching career as inside linebackers coach with New England in 2019.
In 103 career games with the Patriots, Mayo earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, one Super Bowl ring, and he racked up 802 total tackles and 11 sacks.
Mayo has a clear understanding of the Patriots’ defense, which was a bright spot for the team during their dismal 4-13 season.
New England’s defense ranked 7th in the NFL, allowing just 301.6 yards per game and 38 touchdowns.
McDaniels, 47, served as the architect of New England’s offense along with Tom Brady, winning three Super Bowls in his first four seasons with the team.
During McDaniels’ first stint as offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2008, New England set the season record for points scored and won 16 of their 16 regular season games.
McDaniels served as head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2009-2010 and was later hired as the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams in 2011. Both of those coaching tenures failed.
McDaniels has won six total Super Bowl titles with the Patriots.
Other names of note with New England ties:
Brian Flores -- Current defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, also coached in New England from 2008 to 2018 in various roles
Shane Waldron -- Current offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, also played at Tufts University and coached at the Buckingham Browne & Nichols School and the University of Massachusetts
Ben Johnson -- Current offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, began his coaching career at Boston College in 2009
Brian Daboll -- Current head coach of the New York Giants, began his NFL coaching career with the Patriots in 2000 under Belichick