The Patriots and Bill Belichick agreed to mutually part ways today. For the third time since buying the team in 1994, Robert Kraft will begin a search to hire a head coach.  Mike Vrabel and Jerod Mayo head up the list but there will be other candidates as well.

Here are ten names to keep an eye potentially for the Patriots head coaching opening.

1.Mike Vrabel, Former Tennessee Titans Coach: Former Patriots linebacker won three Super Bowls with the organization as a player and is a fan favorite. He is also a favorite of the Kraft family. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in October and was praised profusely by owner Robert Kraft. Vrabel was fired by the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday so he will be a hot commodity with teams that have an opening. If the Patriots want to hire him, they are going to have to move quickly. He has had success as a head coach and has coached elsewhere which I think is important when it comes to brining in new ideas.

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2. Jerod Mayo, Patriots Assistant: Mayo is considered the favorite and a popular choice among the players. He does not have Vrabel’s resume and has not been a head coach but he is well respected both within the Patriots organization and around league circles. He will need time to grow into the job but with the right general manager and time, he could get the Patriots heading in the right direction and contending again.

3. Ben Johnson, Offensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions: The hottest name in the coaching carousel. Johnson has done a terrific job of transforming the Detroit Lions offense into one of the best in the NFL. There will be a lot of teams interested in hiring Johnson so the Patriots will have to move fast if they want to get in the conversation. Personally, I would like to see them hire an offensive coach but I know that is highly unlikely. Johnson would be at the top of my list.

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4. Brian Flores, Defensive Coordinator, Minnesota Vikings: Flores history with the Patriots is well documented. He coached with the organization from 2006 to 2018 and won three Super Bowls. He has also been a head coach with the Miami Dolphins and a coordinator last season with the Vikings. He deserves another chance and would be a good fit. The question is, do the Patriots feel the same way about him? Regardless of what team it is, Flores has to prove that he has changed his ways when it comes to dealing with players and coaches. It was an issue for him in Miami.

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5. Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, Michigan: I would love Harbaugh. Even if he was only here for three or four years. You might get a Super Bowl out of it. Can you imagine how great Patriots, Ravens games would be again? Harbaugh is a terrific offensive coach who has a diverse scheme that can fit any personnel group. He has built a Super Bowl contending team and won a national championship. He would have the best resume of any coach on this list and would be a can’t miss hire. All that being said, not going to happen.

6. Bobby Slowik, Offensive Coordinator, Houston Texans: Slowik has done a tremendous job with rookie quarterback C.J Stroud and he will get consideration for multiple openings. I think he will be the leading candidate in Tennessee to replace Vrabel because of his connection to GM Ran Carthon. Slowik would be a good hire for a team that will be drafting a quarterback and looking to develop him. The Patriots check off that box. All that being said, he is a long shot to come to Foxboro.

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7. Mike MacDonald, Defensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens: MacDonald has done a tremendous job with the Ravens defense and will get interviews with other teams. Not only that, I think he lands a job in this cycle. MacDonald has had coordinating success both in college and in the NFL. He is smart, well liked and well regarded in the football world. A long shot here, I do think he is someone the Patriots should interview at least.

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8. Dan Quinn, Defensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys: Quinn is reportedly interested in being a head coach again. It could potentially happen in Dallas in the Cowboys stumble in the playoffs but chances are, it’ll be elsewhere. Quinn has been a successful coordinator and head coach. He took the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl. You know, the 28-3 game. Quinn will be a solid hire for any team with an opening. I do not see it happening here but he will get a job elsewhere.

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9. Shane Waldron, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks: Waldron has done a good job in Seattle as offensive coordinator. He took Geno Smith and Drew Lock to another level and made them productive NFL quarterbacks. Waldron worked for the Patriots as an operations intern for two seasons before being promoted to operations assistant in 2004. He played his college football at Tufts University and coached at BB&N for a year. Waldron will garner both head coach and offensive coordinator interest.

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10. Raheem Morris, Defensive Coordinator, Rams: Morris has been a head coach before and has coached on both side of the ball. He has done a terrific job with the Rams defense the past two seasons. He is smart, detail oriented and has a good resume. I think he will be an attractive candidate to teams around the NFL with openings.