The former linebacker has earned his players’ respect through ‘badass’ practice habits that include joining drills and letting players hit him.

Mike Vrabel and Mike Macdonald share names and penchants for elite defenses, but philosophical differences paved the coaches paths to Super Bowl LX.

Vrabel entered the week as an NFL Coach of the Year contender while Landry and Spillane have been key veterans in a top defensive unit.

The Patriots' coach is most comfortable hanging with a crew that includes a funeral director, an owner of an artificial turf company, and a medical device salesman.

There have been a lot of questions and focus on how Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has flipped the culture around the team in one season. See Also Mike Vrabel reveals extreme length he’d go to for Super Bowl win: ‘Leave her six’ One area that he’s emphasized: respect.

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel takes a unique approach to leading his team that has rapidly improved New England from cellar-dwellers to Super Bowl contenders