News broke early this morning that Romeo Crennel is likely to become the assistant head coach for the Houston Texans. With an opening at defensive coordinator, Mike Vrabel looks to be next in line.
Per sources, the Texans are promoting LBs coach Mike Vrabel to defensive coordinator. Romeo Crennel expected to stay, likely as ass’t HC.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 18, 2017
Mike Vrabel played 14 seasons in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and the Kansas City Chiefs. During his time with the Patriots, he won three Super Bowls.
His former Patriots coach Bill Belichik had a ringing endorsement for Vrabel possibly being a coach, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
“Mike does a tremendous job. As a player he was very astute, had a great understanding of his position and technique and how to play his spot and corresponding positions from an overall standpoint. He had a very good grasp of the overall defensive and offensive concepts and how they would attack different fronts. We talked about that.
“Of course, I never worked with Mike as a coach. As a player, he certainly showed those qualities. A lot of players understand the game well and have a good awareness, but Mike has good leadership, good communication. He’s direct. He gets along with everybody, has a good way of working with people, got good leadership skills. Those things are very important.”
One of his players on the Texans, Bernardrick McKinney, talked about how Vrabel is as a coach and gushed about the love he has for his players.
“Coach Vrabel has done an unbelievable job of teaching me where to be, in the right spot,” said McKinney, who leads the Texans with 129 tackles and also has five sacks. “He’s an unbelievable coach. He loves the game of football. He tells us how much he loves coaching us. He’s a great coach. I’d be happy with whatever coach Vrabel decides to do. He’s a great guy and a great coach.”
He players believe him because he has been in the same spot as them and they trust him. What he says holds weight with them. His linebackers love him, and I don’t think he is going to have any trouble taking over as the coach of that defense.
