Mike Vrabel on Brink of Historic Super Bowl LX Turnaround

If the Patriots win Super Bowl LX on Sunday, head coach Mike Vrabel will have achieved a significant turnaround in his first year, potentially setting an NFL record.

Vrabel would be the fifth NFL head coach to win a Super Bowl in his initial season.

Previous Rookie Super Bowl Champions

The four previous coaches who accomplished this feat all took over teams that were performing strongly:

• Gary Kubiak (2015 Broncos): Inherited a team that was a Super Bowl favorite, with a 12-4 record the previous year and a Super Bowl appearance two years prior.
• Jon Gruden (2002 Buccaneers): Took over a team that had made the playoffs the year before and possessed a strong defense established by his predecessor.
• George Seifert (1989 49ers): Coached a team that had won the Super Bowl the year before.
• Don McCafferty (1970 Colts): Led a team that had a winning record in 1969 and reached the Super Bowl in 1968.

Vrabel's Distinct Path to Success

Vrabel's context differs significantly. The Patriots had a 4-13 record under Jerod Mayo in 2024 and a 4-3 record under Bill Belichick in 2023 before Vrabel's arrival in 2025.

The previous dynasty associated with the Patriots was no longer active upon his tenure's commencement.

Should the Patriots defeat the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, Vrabel's first season would be recognized as a distinct accomplishment in NFL history due to the team's prior performance.