Mike Vrabel

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Lore & Background

Vrabel joined the Texans as linebackers coach in 2014. During his three seasons in that role, the Texans ranked third in the NFL in yards allowed per game. In January 2016, he declined the San Francisco 49ers' offer to become their defensive coordinator, staying in Houston. In January 2017, the Texans promoted him to defensive coordinator after moving Romeo Crennel to assistant head coach. Vrabel's defenses featured stars like J. J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, and Benardrick McKinney.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Vrabel's Texans tenure came not from a single play call but from a decision he made in January 2016. The San Francisco 49ers offered him their defensive coordinator job. He turned it down. He stayed in Houston. A year later, the Texans named him their own defensive coordinator. The move paid off: his unit ranked third in the NFL in yards allowed per game during his three seasons as linebackers coach, and he continued to develop players like Watt, Clowney, Mercilus, and McKinney into disruptive forces.

Reader's Guide

Mike Vrabel's time with the Houston Texans spanned four seasons, first as linebackers coach (2014–2016) then as defensive coordinator (2017). As linebackers coach, his unit helped the Texans rank third in the NFL in yards allowed per game. He turned down a defensive coordinator offer from the 49ers in January 2016 to remain in Houston. As defensive coordinator in 2017, Vrabel oversaw a defense featuring J. J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, and Benardrick McKinney. The source does not specify the Texans' defensive ranking or playoff results under Vrabel as coordinator. Vrabel left Houston after the 2017 season to become head coach of the Tennessee Titans on January 20, 2018.

Did You Know?

• Vrabel was hired by the Texans as a linebackers coach on January 10, 2014.
• During his three seasons as linebackers coach, the Texans ranked third in the NFL in yards allowed per game.
• In January 2016, Vrabel declined the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator job to stay in Houston.
• Vrabel was named Texans defensive coordinator in January 2017 after Romeo Crennel moved to assistant head coach.
• He coached J. J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, and Benardrick McKinney during his Houston tenure.