Did the New England Patriots violate the Rooney Rule in hiring Mike Vrabel? Uncover the controversy shaking up their hiring process.

During the latest edition of his "The Right Time" podcast, sports journalist Bomani Jones defended the Patriots even though it's now clear New England was always going to hire Patriots Hall of Famer and one-time Associated Press Coach of the Year Award winner Mike Vrabel for the job.

The New England Patriots have started their search for a new head coach after Jarod Mayo was fired on Sunday. On Tuesday, the team interviewed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.

The Patriots have requested ... offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, both of whom are out of the NFL, in person. Mike Vrabel confirms ex-Patriots assistant could become new offensive coordinator ...

FOXBORO -- The New England ... for former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick when he was the defensive coordinator with the Jets. Patriots have interviewed Byron Leftwich, Pep Hamilton The ...

Mike Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots as a player, has interviewed for the team's head coaching job.

Five of the six teams with head coach vacancies have scheduled interviews with Glenn, and it turns out the one remaining team, the New England Patriots ... Leftwich and Pep Hamilton on Tuesday ...

The New England Patriots have interviewed four candidates ... New England has since interviewed Johnson, Byron Leftwich, Pep Hamilton, and Mike Vrabel for their vacant position.

However, Vrabel was considered the frontrunner to return to New England due to his strong ties to the franchise, where he spent eight seasons as a player. Before signing Vrabel, the Patriots ...

Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel interviewed with the New England Patriots for the team's head coach opening, the Patriots announced Thursday.

Vrabel is reportedly the frontrunner for the Patriots' opening ... Bowl titles from 2001-08. New England interviewed former Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and former Buccaneers ...

One NFL Insider called the Patriots' head coaching search a "sham" aimed at circumventing the league's Rooney Rule