From the Hoodie to no hoodies allowed.
Oftentimes, NFL head coaches in new situations set the tone, standards and expectations for their players immediately. That much is exemplified by new New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel made sure that his first impression was a lasting one for his players. In his intro speech to Pats players that surfaced this week, the former Titans head coach set some ground rules for his players, including a cell phone policy and proper decorum and respect to staff while in the building.
Among Vrabel’s requests, he mentioned the following:
Hoods down while in meetings;
No cell phones in meetings or the weight room;
Be on time.
Vrabel’s last point in the video was especially poignant; making sure that his players treat the Patriots staff with the utmost respect and dignity.
‘The training staff, the equipment staff, the kitchen staff – these people are all here to do what? To help you. They’re here to help you do your job. They aren’t here to be your valet, to be your housekeeper, to be your maid, to be your butler. You get where I’m going? We’re going to treat those people with the utmost respect.’
The new Patriots head coach spent a year out of the coaching game after his firing from the Tennessee Titans in 2023. After courtships from the New York Jets and Chicago Bears, the former New England linebacker inked a deal to return to Gillette Stadium, this time as head coach.
Vrabel will look to exceed the successes left by Jerod Mayo, who was fired after a single, 4-13 season at the helm.
We’re still a ways away from finding out if Vrabel’s message is received, but if it is, it certainly won’t be on a cell phone.