Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla stops by Patriots practice, Vrabel reacts
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Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla stops by Patriots practice, Vrabel reacts
The New England Patriots had a special visitor recently with Joe Mazzulla, coach of the Boston Celtics, stopping by training camp. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel spoke positively of Mazzulla’s visit and his desire to learn. Mazzullah has been to Patriots practices in past seasons, soaking in how the team communicates defensively, perhaps making use of that with the Celtics by translating it into a basketball context. The Patriots are the first team he’s coaching since his time with the Tenneesee Titans.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel spoke positively of Mazzulla’s visit and his desire to learn.
Mazzulla has been to Patriots practices in the past, studying their defensive communication.
The New England Patriots had a special visitor recently with Joe Mazzulla, coach of the Boston Celtics, stopping by training camp.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel talked to CBS Boston about Mazzulla’s visit to the team’s training camp ahead of their first pre-season game on Aug. 8, 2025.
“Joe’s fantastic,” Vrabel said. “I appreciate him.”
Vrabel was introduced as the Patriots’ new head coach on Jan. 13, 2025, after the firing of Jerod Mayo. Vrabel said that Mazzulla reached out to him after getting the position.
Mazzulla has been to Patriots practices in past seasons, soaking in how the team communicates defensively, perhaps making use of that with the Celtics by translating it into a basketball context.
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“He’s always trying to learn and gain knowledge different ways about building a team, about strategy, about scheme, about inspiring players to do their job,” related Vrabel.
Here’s some more important information about the two coaches.
Mike Vrabel’s coaching record
Vrabel has accumulated 54 wins to 45 losses during his career as a head coach, leading the Tenneesee Titans to the playoffs three times. He served as the head coach of the Titans from 2018 to 2023, when he was fired by Titans management.
As a player, the former linebacker, who played for the Patriots for eight seasons, took three different teams to the playoffs a total of eight times, mostly throughout the 2000s.
The Patriots are the first team he’s coaching since his time with the Titans.
Joe Mazzulla’s coaching record
Mazzulla has totaled 182 wins to 64 losses, leading the Celtics to the playoffs in every year he’s been head coach, which began in 2023. Mazzulla also foresaw the Boston team winning their 18th banner in 2024.
Justin Quinn contributed to the reporting of this story.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.