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Super Bowl Features First Defensive Coaches Since 2017

1/31/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Defensive-oriented head coaches Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks) and Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots) have reached the Super Bowl.
This is the first such occurrence since Bill Belichick's last Patriots appearance seven years ago.
The last Super Bowl with two defensive-background head coaches was in 2017, when Belichick's Patriots beat Dan Quinn's Falcons.
The trend shift may signal a new era in Super Bowl leadership.

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Story summary

Defensive-oriented head coaches Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks) and Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots) have reached the Super Bowl.
This is the first such occurrence since Bill Belichick's last Patriots appearance seven years ago.
The last Super Bowl with two defensive-background head coaches was in 2017, when Belichick's Patriots beat Dan Quinn's Falcons.
The trend shift may signal a new era in Super Bowl leadership.