I am thankful for everyone assoc with TOSU for 3 great years and my family and I are excited to join the Houston Texans as the LB coach.
— Mike Vrabel (@CoachVrabel50) January 9, 2014
Multiple sources have confirmed to Eleven Warriors that Ohio State defensive line coach Mike Vrabel has accepted the linebackers coaching position on Bill O'Brien's staff with the Houston Texans.
Vrabel has coached at his alma mater for three seasons, two under Urban Meyer and one under former college roommate and teammate Luke Fickell, after a decorated 14-year NFL career, where he won three Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots. Vrabel finished with 704 career tackles and 57 sacks.
In 2011, under Fickell, Vrabel coached linebackers, before moving to the defensive line after Meyer retained him.
O'Brien was the offensive coordinator for New England before spending two seasons as Penn State's head coach.
From 1993-1996, Vrabel was a member of the Ohio State football team.
Vrabel and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick grew close during Vrabel's playing days. After Vrabel was hired at Ohio State, Belichick said a future coaching career was foreshadowed throughout his playing career.
A favorite of fans and recruits everywhere, Vrabel was ranked as the 10th-best recruiting coach in the country by 247Sports.com. He was a major factor in the commitments of Dylan Thompson, Jamarco Jones and Jalyn Holmes, three highly-ranked members of Ohio State's 2014 class and his relationship with Buckeye freshman Joey Bosa was a major factor in the Florida-native's recruitment as well.
Probably the most sad ive evere been in ny life
— Dylan Thompson (@BRONCODE59) January 9, 2014
Hearing that news just changed my whole mood
— Jamarco Jones (@jjones_73) January 9, 2014
"During his Patriots career, there was no player more respected for his football intellect and revered for his leadership by his teammates than Mike," Belichick said. "He was elected a team captain by his peers and is a player who I think everyone knew was destined to become a coach after his NFL playing career was over."
