Former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is a candidate for the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching job.
According to NFL Network, Vrabel is scheduled to meet with the Falcons on Wednesday. Tom Pelisserothrew his name into the ring with former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Michigan State head coach Jim Harbaugh also in attendance.
The 48-year-old is also scheduled to meet with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, according to ESPN. jeff darlington.
Vrabel spent the final six seasons of his career as the Titans' head coach before being fired after the 2023 season with a 6-11 record.
The former NFL linebacker and three-time Super Bowl champion led Tennessee to four straight wins and three playoff appearances from 2018-2021. But with the Titans finishing 13th, it was clear that things had gotten worse over the past two seasons. -21 in that span.
Prior to being the head coach of the Titans, Vrabel served as the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans in 2017 and also served as the team's linebackers coach from 2014 to 2016. He began his coaching career in 2011 as the linebackers coach at his alma mater, Ohio State University, and also served as the program's defensive line coach from 2012 to 2013.
The Falcons are looking for a replacement for Arthur Smith, who was fired in 2023 after going 21-30 in his three seasons as head coach and going 7-10 for the third straight season.
Belichick was initially seen as the frontrunner for Atlanta's head coaching job after he was reportedly leaked on team owner Arthur Blank's private jet, but ESPN's Michael Rothstein reported on Saturday , reported that the search remains “widely open.”
In addition to Belichick, the Falcons also interviewed Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Ebello twice and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike McDonald, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilkes, Ravens defensive line and assistant head coach Anthony Weaver, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady were among those who met with the Falcons.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are looking to replace coach Frank Reich, who was fired after a 1-10 start to the 2023 season.
Evero, Brian Johnson, Ben Johnson, McDonald, Morris and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn are among those already interviewed for Carolina's coaching vacancy.