In a surprising crossover between the NFL and college football worlds, the University of Texas Longhorns have reportedly extended a formal job offer to former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. According to multiple sources close to the program, Texas is seeking to add Vrabel to its coaching staff in a high-profile role that could shake up the college football landscape ahead of the 2025 season.
Vrabel, who parted ways with the Titans earlier this year after six seasons at the helm, had been widely expected to take a year off or return to the NFL as a coordinator or head coach. Instead, Texas—one of the most storied and ambitious programs in college football—has emerged as an unexpected suitor with a serious offer on the table.
While the exact details of the role have not yet been confirmed, insiders suggest the Longhorns are offering Vrabel a senior leadership position, possibly as Associate Head Coach or Defensive Coordinator. With head coach Steve Sarkisian still firmly in place, the hire would be a strategic addition meant to bolster the program’s defensive identity and NFL-level development pipeline.
“Bringing in Mike Vrabel would be a game-changer for Texas,” one Power Five scout told reporters. “He commands instant respect, he knows how to develop pros, and he brings a physicality and discipline that college players respond to.”
Vrabel’s coaching record in the NFL includes multiple playoff appearances and an AFC Championship Game appearance in the 2019 season. Known for his intense, no-nonsense leadership style and strong defensive acumen, Vrabel could be the perfect piece to help Texas make the leap as they transition fully into SEC competition. The Longhorns are eager to prove themselves among heavyweights like Alabama and Georgia, and the addition of an experienced NFL coach could give them a crucial edge.
For Vrabel, the move to Austin would mark his first foray into college coaching since his stint at Ohio State over a decade ago. That experience, combined with his years in the NFL both as a player and coach, would make him one of the most qualified college assistants in the country—if not a head coach-in-waiting.
Neither Vrabel nor the Texas athletic department have publicly commented, but reports suggest the offer is financially competitive and comes with significant influence over the defensive side of the program. Sources say Texas wants a decision before July training camps begin.
If Vrabel accepts, this could signal a shift in how elite college programs court NFL-caliber talent—not just among players, but coaches as well. One thing’s for sure: the college football world is watching closely, and Texas might just be building something truly special in 2025.
