Tennessee Titans: Mike Mularkey has time on his side
By P. L. Colter
When the Tennessee Titans introduced Steve Underwood as the team’s permanent President and CEO earlier this month, he stated in his press conference that the team would have a “traditional” front office structure:
Ownership
President / CEO
General Manager
Coach
The team seems to be following this flow chart when it comes to restructuring their front office, and if you’re interim head coach Mike Mularkey, then you’re telling the Titans to take all the time they need on their next search.
With ownership in place, and the president role solidified, the Titans have now shifted their focus to the general manager position.
More from Titan Sized
- Tennessee Titans suspiciously quiet about major draft need
- Tennessee Titans agree to new deal with star Jeffery Simmons
- Caesars Promo Code Expires Soon – Claim $1,250 Today
- 3 needs that are being overblown by Tennessee Titans fans
- Tennessee Titans have potential dilemmas in 2023 NFL Draft
Jim Wyatt, Senior Writer and Editor for Titans Online, reports that Tennessee interviewed Chris Ballard, Kansas City’s director of football operations, for their vacant general manager position yesterday.
Ballard also heads the Chiefs’ scouting department, which is a good thing because the Titans are in desperate need of some fresh eyes in that area.
In addition to Ballard, The Titans have interviewed Martin Mayhew (Detroit Lions), Jon Robinson (Tampa Bay), Marc Ross (NY Giants), Chris Polian (Jacksonville), and Ted Sundquist, Denver’s former general manager.
A tip of the cap to controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and her team of advisers for showing due diligence with this search. In years past the Titans would have stayed in their comfort zone by promoting from within, so kudos to the new regime for taking their time.
But patience and prudence could come at a price to Titans fans, because the longer this search takes, the greater the chances that Mularkey will return as head coach next season.
Hue Jackson is one of the most sought after coaching candidates this offseason. With Cincinnati’s season now over, the Bengals’ offensive coordinator can begin interviewing for vacant jobs. Teams are already lining up.
If New England is upset this Saturday, then their offfensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can begin to interview. He is also widely rumored to be sought after.
Not to mention the various other potential coaching candidates that will lose this weekend.
Without a general manager in place, it is highly unlikely that the serious candidates would take the Titans seriously. Tennessee has to complete that search first, and hopefully in time to present a credible sales pitch on the future of the franchise.
If the coaching talent pool is dried up by the time that a general manager is named, then the Titans are realistically looking at one of three options:
A re-tread coach with no other interviews lined up, an unproven commodity with no head coaching experience, or coach Mularkey.
What do you think they would do?
And if it happens, don’t say that the front office didn’t warn us…
Next: Tennessee Titans: Tuesday News Links
When coach Whisenhunt was fired, then-interim president Steve Underwood said that Mularkey’s job status would be based on wins and losses. At the end of the year, Underwood backtracked when pressed on that statement about Mularkey. Instead, he quickly pointed to Jeff Fisher, who won one game as interim head coach of the Oilers before becoming the head coach for years to come.
Of course, this could all change if the Titans hire their new gm tomorrow, but if it takes a while, then Mularkey is probably coming back.