Tennessee Titans lose linebackers coach as Mike Vrabel takes control of defense
By Will Lomas
Tennessee Titans potentially make a puzzling move, but definitely lose their linebacker coach.
A lesson Tennessee Titans fans could potentially learn this season is that sometimes a coach just makes a better head coach than a defensive coordinator, like Matt LaFleur in Green Bay.
Another great example of this is Mike Vrabel who was bad as a defensive coordinator, but who looks to be a solid leader and CEO of a team. Well, at least before today.
After the Titans let Tyrone McKenzie walk and go to the Detroit Lions it raised eyebrows because he was on the assumed short list for the DC job. I think everyone assumed at this point that the DC job was going to go to Shane Bowen the Titans OLB coach.
#Titans have another hole to fill on their defensive coaching staff.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 29, 2020
--ILB coach Tyrone McKenzie no longer with the team. He's headed to another team. Move has yet to be announced, unsure of specific role.
--So Titans now looking for new DC and new ILB coach. DB spot was filled.
That would be a pretty disappointing hire given the lack of any sort of play calling experience in his past. Luckily(?) the Titans may not have to worry about that as Turron Davenport explained that Tennessee may not name a DC at all.
The general feeling within the Titans facility is that Mike Vrabel isn't likely to name a DC. Expect Coach Vrabel to have a larger role with the defense. https://t.co/spEHFvXElp
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 30, 2020
Call it discouraging or a massive misstep, but Titans fans should be extremely concerned right now because Vrabel isn’t really a good DC.
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In his only season as the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans (his only year calling plays) the Texans were worst in points per game allowed and fifth worst in takeaways.
Now sure, the sample size is small so maybe he can do better with a team he has led as a head coach. However, the question you have to ask is, “Is this the best option the Tennessee Titans had?”
The answer is obviously no.
Even if this works out and the defense is amazing, the methodology doesn’t make sense. Guys like Wade Phillips, Kris Richard or dozens of coaches from the college ranks all have more proven experience as a defensive play callers.
Maybe news will come out soon that explains this or maybe there are more hires in the works, but as of right now it is hard to think of this as anything short of disappointing and potentially a downgrade.
Hopefully something changes, but if not then this is a really unfortunate way to prepare for a season when you are trying to go from AFC Championship game to Super Bowl contenders.