The Tennessee Titans now have a vacancy for their head coach position. Here is where we’ll keep you updated with rumors and info.
After a second round playoff exit following an up-and-down season, the Tennessee Titans parted way with head coach Mike Mularkey. Mularkey and the front office didn’t see eye-to-eye when it came to the Titans’ future, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
With Mularkey gone, arguably the most attractive destination for head coach candidates has opened up. The Titans sport a roster that has become brimmed with talent, they are located in a great football city and the team will be getting a new look (uniforms and possibly logo) before the 2018 season.
GM Jon Robinson has already begun the head coaching search. Interviews are being set up and the rumors have already begun to fly. We’ll keep everything organized for you down below.
Completed Interviews
Mike Vrabel, Defensive Coordinator, Houston Texans
A former New England Patriots linebacker and Super Bowl legend, Vrabel was a player while Robinson was with the Patriots as a scout. There are clear ties between the two. Vrabel served as the Houston Texans’ defensive coordinator in 2017 after being their linebackers coach from 2014-2016. Vrabel began coaching in 2011 as a linebackers coach with his alma mater Ohio State Buckeyes. He then coached the Buckeyes’ defensive line from 2012-2013.
Interview Date: Thursday, January 18
Steve Wilks, Defensive Coordinator, Carolina Panthers
Considered a hard-nosed, iron fist type of coach, Wilks has served in multiple capacities for the Panthers since 2012. He’s been the assistant head coach since 2015 and was promoted from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator for this past season. His Panthers defense was one of the top units in the NFL in 2017. Wilks has coached defensive backs for over two decades.
Interview Date: Thursday, January 18
Matt LaFleur, Offensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Rams
As Sean McVay’s legend grows after just one season, so will his coaching tree. The first branch could come in the form of LaFleur, who served as McVay’s OC in their first season with the Rams. LaFleur did not call plays, but he helped design the NFC’s best offense and has worked extensively with quarterbacks in the past with the Washington Redskins, Notre Dame and Atlanta Falcons.
Interview Date: Friday, January 19
Lined-Up Interviews
None as of this moment. The Titans must wait until after the Championship Round to interview candidates from the Patriots, Eagles, Vikings or Jaguars.
Rumored Candidates
Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
Even before Mularkey assumed the role of permanent head coach, McDaniels was consistently linked with the Titans. Robinson was with the Patriots organization as McDaniels rose through the ranks to become Belichick’s right-hand man on offense. With McDaniels ready to give head coaching another chance and the Titans now having an opening, the dots are once again connecting. The problem is that the Indianapolis Colts seem to be locked onto McDaniels, and are expected to get him. We’ll see what happens.
Frank Reich, Offensive Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles
With the Philadelphia Eagles and QB Carson Wentz taking a quantum leap forward before Wentz went down, the Eagles’ offensive coaches were likely to be sought-after candidates in the offseason. Quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo is considered to be the next “Sean McVay”, but Reich is just as good of a candidate, and has a more polished resume to prove it. Reich has been the Eagles’ OC for the past two seasons, and was the San Diego Chargers’ OC from 2014-2015. He spent time coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers for several years with the Colts, Cardinals and Chargers before then.