Who Is Mike Vrabel’s Wife? Meet NFL Coach’s Biggest Supporter Jen Vrabel

Mike Vrabel, former NFL linebacker and current head coach of the New England Patriots, has long credited his wife, Jen Vrabel, as his steadfast partner both on and off the field.

The couple’s story began at Ohio State University, where Jen first noticed Mike in a freshman lecture on time management. Intrigued by his presence and sense of humor, she obtained his number through their professor, sparking a romance that would endure through decades of football and family milestones, according to The Tennessean.

After connecting, the two student-athletes dated while Jen continued her studies. Mike was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft, a year before Jen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. The couple married in 1999 and have since welcomed two sons, Tyler and Carter.

On the field, Mike Vrabel enjoyed a career spanning more than a decade, earning accolades with three NFL teams before retiring in 2011. He later returned to Ohio State as a coach, crediting Jen for motivating him to pursue the NFL following his college career.

During his introduction as the Tennessee Titans’ head coach in 2018, Mike expressed gratitude to his wife: “I love her to death. She’s been through a lot, and she understands this league.” He echoed similar sentiments in 2025 upon rejoining the Patriots as head coach: “I want to thank Jen, who’s been along for this ride for quite a while.”

Collegiate Athlete in Her Own Right

Jen Vrabel excelled as a student-athlete at Ohio State University, competing on the volleyball team from 1993 to 1996 while Mike played football. She earned recognition as a two-time AVCA All-District selection, two-time All-Big Ten honoree, and Academic All-Big Ten awardee. Mike, meanwhile, completed his bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2004, several years after Jen graduated in 1998. Reflecting on their shared alma mater, Mike said in 2006, “Ohio State has had a great impact on the lives of my wife and me.”

Family and Legacy

Mike and Jen have celebrated over 25 years of marriage, marking the milestone in 2024 with a ten-day trip to Italy, described by The New York Times as Mike’s “first true vacation … maybe ever.” The couple’s sons have followed in their parents’ athletic footsteps. Tyler played offensive tackle at Boston College and later joined the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, while Carter pursued baseball at Wabash Valley College, Volunteer State Community College, and Tennessee Tech.

Mike has openly shared the challenges of balancing his professional career with family life. During a 2018 press conference, he recounted missing Carter’s birth due to practice, arriving four hours late while Jen endured labor alone in Ohio. He reflected on the boys’ upbringing surrounded by football, noting, “They’ve been around the NFL locker room since they’ve been born.”

Cherishing Time Together

Despite the demands of his career, Mike and Jen make time for each other. In 2019, Jen told ESPN that Friday evenings remain sacred: “Fridays are always our nights … it became like a date night or family night.” The couple continues to prioritize these moments, balancing the intensity of professional sports with family life.

From their collegiate beginnings to professional triumphs and family milestones, the Vrabels exemplify a partnership that thrives both on the gridiron and at home.

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