Mike Vrabel’s potential Patriots reunion; Night of upsets in college basketball

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EVERY NFL TEAM LOOKING FOR A HEAD COACH

The NFL coaching carousel is full of all types of firings — expected, rumored, whispered about and shocking. This one falls under that last category. Mike Vrabel is out in Tennessee after six years, a 54-45 record, three playoff berths and a 2021 AP Coach of the Year award.

Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said the team is looking for an “aligned and collaborative team across all football functions” after hiring Ran Carthon as GM last year, and apparently Vrabel didn’t fit the bill. The Titans are 7-21 over the last two seasons (tied for 26th in the NFL) after going 23-10 (fifth-best) in 2020 and 2021 combined.

One team’s loss will certainly be another team’s gain. Vrabel produced a top-half scoring defense in five of his six seasons in Tennessee and is immensely respected. Derrick Henry said he was “shocked” by the firing, and longtime former tackle Taylor Lewan called the decision “nuts“ and “a big mistake” and added Vrabel is “the absolute best.”

His absolute best fit, Cody Benjamin writes, might be a reunion.

• Benjamin: “It’s the match made in heaven, according to many folks around the NFL. Vrabel spent the majority of his playing career in New England, winning three Super Bowl rings under Bill Belichick. Now, with Belichick reportedly facing an uncertain future after 23 seasons on the job, Vrabel profiles as a seamless successor for owner Robert Kraft. The question is, will Belichick…