Mike Vrabel Wins Coach of the Year Award
The NFL Honors recently showcased exceptional coaching talents, with Mike Vrabel being named the Coach of the Year for the second time in his career. This year, he received 19 of 50 first-place votes and amassed a total of 302 points, further solidifying his reputation in the league.
Strong Competition for Coach of the Year Award
Vrabel’s win was notable given the impressive candidates he faced. The runners-up included:
- Liam Coen from Jacksonville with 239 points (16 first-place votes)
- Mike Macdonald of Seattle with 191 points (8 first-place votes)
- Ben Johnson from Chicago with 145 points (1 first-place vote)
- Kyle Shanahan of San Francisco with 140 points (6 first-place votes)
All these candidates led significant turnarounds for their teams. Macdonald led the Seahawks to the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while Shanahan’s team faced injuries yet nearly secured the top seed, losing a critical game to the Seahawks in Week 18.
Vrabel’s Path to Success
Vrabel took over as the head coach of the New England Patriots prior to the 2025 season. The team struggled in the previous year, finishing with a disappointing 4-13 record under Jerod Mayo. In contrast, Vrabel turned the franchise’s fortunes around, leading them to an impressive 13-4 record and clinching the AFC East title in his first year.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Vrabel’s coaching career, as he joins elite company. He is now among coaches who have won the prestigious award with multiple franchises, including legends like Chuck Knox and Bill Parcells.
Award History
Previously, Mike Vrabel won the Coach of the Year award in 2021 while leading the Tennessee Titans. Bill Belichick, a longstanding figure in New England, won the accolade in 2010.
The awards presented at NFL Honors reflect only regular-season achievements, with voting concluding after Week 18 of the season.
