NFL playing career as an assistant coach at Ohio State in 2011, he had thoughts of one day returning to the New England Patriots.

The New York Jets made a "late push" to secure Mike Vrabel but he picked the New England Patriots HC job instead. The post Jets Made ‘Late Push’ For Mike Vrabel, Picked Patriots Instead appeared first on Heavy Sports.

More to the point, Vrabel never coached under Belichick. He hasn’t worked in Foxboro in 15 years. In that time, he developed his own network and identity, moving from Ohio State to the Texans, Titans and Browns. Vrabel collected invaluable experience that would have served Mayo, also his own man, had Mayo ever flown the New England nest.