The New England Patriots are going back to the Super Bowl, and it only took Mike Vrabel one season as head coach to get the franchise back there. New England had struggled in recent years, finishing 4-13 in each of the last two seasons.
After hiring Vrabel as the team’s head coach last offseason, the Patriots immediately turned things around, going 14-3 and winning the AFC.
Following Sunday's game, New England's second-year quarterback, Drake Maye, explained what makes the head coach so specialand how he was able to lead the team to success quickly. Maye explained, "From Day 1, he's been the same guy. Coaches hard, but at the same time, cares a lot." The seemingly simple formula has given New England a chance to win the Super Bowl.
"Love this team and how about the defense. Just love each and every one of them." - Drake Maye with @tracywolfson following Pats AFC-clinching win pic.twitter.com/1XfFPSrQdt
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 25, 2026
Drake Maye praises Mike Vrabel’s coaching style after advancing to Super Bowl
Maye emphasized that the team loves playing for their head coach, and while he was excited, he quickly reflected Vrabel’s leadership, adding that New England has more work to do. Vrabel echoed similar sentiments during the trophy ceremony, deflecting all praise for him back towards the players, while making it clear he’ll do his job to get the team prepared for Super Bowl 60.
Vrabel’s coaching career has had a similar journey to the Patriots in recent years. After experiencing a lot of success in his first four years leading the Tennessee Titans, he was fired after two straight losing seasons. Vrabel didn’t have a coaching job in 2024, but he returned this season, and quickly proved to be the perfect hire.
As Maye explained, the veteran coach has the perfect balance of being a somewhat old-school coach, with a tough exterior, while also making sure the players feel how much he cares and loves them. The result of that has been a really good team, that loves playing for their head coach.
Vrabel played with the Patriots as a player for eight seasons, and was a part of the start of the franchise’s dynasty, winning three Super Bowls with the team. Now, he has put himself in position to accomplish the special feat of leading the same franchise to a Super Bowl win as a head coach.