Right off the bat, Vrabel was viewed as the favorite to end up being his replacement. In fact, the rumors about Vrabel started well before Mayo was actually fired. A new shocking

FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel to be the team's next head coach. For Vrabel, it's a return to the franchise that he won three Super Bowl titles with as a player. Sources confirmed to WBZ-TV's Dan Roche Sunday morning that the Patriots have hired Vrabel.

The New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as their head coach. The move comes after Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo after the team’s season finale victory over the Buffalo Bills to finish 4-13 in his lone season as coach.