Following up on reports/rumors/speculation, Mike Vrabel has officially retired from the NFL in order to become an assistant coach at Ohio State.
Vrabel released a statement through his agent, Neil Cornrich, Monday morning confirming that, as expected, he has accepted the position of linebackers coach at Ohio State.
Here’s Vrabel’s statement inits entirety:After 14 years in the National Football League, I have decided to retire and accept the position of Linebackers Coach at The Ohio State University.
I am extremely appreciative of the teammates, coaches, and great fans who surrounded me during my NFL career, and am honored to have been a part of three tremendous organizations in the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs. I am especially grateful to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, who not only gave me the opportunity to play for a team that won three Super Bowl championships and an NFL record 21 games in a row, but also taught me invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach.
I am very excited to become a part of Luke Fickell’s staff at Ohio State. I have great faith and trust in Luke leading the Buckeye football team as he represents all the core values integral for a program’s success, and I am looking forward to working with our student-athletes as I begin the next phase of my career.