Former Patriot Mike Vrabel Retires, Takes Coaching Job At Ohio State
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP/CBS) -- Former New England Patriots All-Pro linebacker Mike Vrabel is retiring from the Kansas City Chiefs and returning to his alma mater Ohio State to become the school's linebackers coach.
Vrabel confirmed Monday morning the end of his 14-year career and that he had taken the job as linebackers coach with the Buckeyes. The position was previously held by his college roommate and teammate, Luke Fickell, who was elevated to interim head coach when Jim Tressel resigned May 30.
He announced his retirement in a statement issued through his agent. Vrabel will
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Vrabel played eight seasons with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowl titles as a hybrid defender and a spot short-yardage and goal-line offensive player. He totaled 48 sacks in Bill Belichick's system. Vrabel has 10 career receptions for 10 touchdowns. He also caught touchdowns in the Patriots Super Bowl victories over the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles.
Vrabel has a career game against the Washington Redskins in 2007, totaling three forced fumbles, three sacks, an onside kick recovery and catching a touchdown. He was named to the 2007 Pro-Bowl as a started and made the All-NFL team that season.
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His former coach in New England thinks Vrabel will make a great coach now that his playing days are over.
"During his Patriots career, there was no player more respected for his football intellect and revered for his leadership by his teammates than Mike," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said via the Ohio State Buckeyes website. "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.
"Mike Vrabel is as well-suited for coaching as any player I have ever coached. He has a tremendous feel for people, players, coaches and what his team needs regardless of the situation. He is outstanding in his knowledge of the game, which contributed to his excellence as a player. I have no doubt Mike will develop tough, intelligent, fundamentally sound winners," said Belichick.
In 2005 Vrabel became the only player to record two touchdowns and a sack in the same game.
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