Former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel hired Shane Bowen as his outside linebackers coach in 2018. Bowen remained in that role through the conclusion of 2020, before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021. It was an unpopular decision, given the state of the Titans' 2020 defense (fifth-most yards allowed), which he had been partially responsible for as the play caller.
Vrabel believed in Bowen, and to their credit, the defense improved in 2021 following personnel upgrades. Bowen remained alongside Vrabel through 2023. Vrabel and his entire staff were fired following a second consecutive losing season.
Bowen quickly found employment in 2024 as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator. The Pickering, Ohio native finds himself in the midst of his second campaign coaching under Brian Daboll. After Sunday's gut-wrenching 40-37 overtime Week 2 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, Giants fans are already calling for his job, however.
Giants fans want former Titans DC Shane Bowen fired
The Cowboys executed an 11-play, 71-yard drive in 1:52 to take a 34-30 fourth-quarter lead over the Giants with just 52 seconds remaining. Daboll's offense responded in emphatic fashion, with Russell Wilson throwing a 48-yard go-ahead touchdown to Malik Nabers with 25 seconds left. It felt like a game-winning score, but Bowen's defense couldn't protect the three-point lead despite there being precious little time remaining.
Following the ensuing kickoff, Dak Prescott threw an 18-yard to pass to Jake Ferguson on 2nd-and-10. It was enough for Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who converted a 64-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime. After both teams failed to score on two possessions apiece, Aubrey made a game-winning field goal with under two minutes remaining.
Bowen's defense had multiple opportunities to protect a lead. They ultimately wasted a 506-yard, 37-point performance by the offense. The former Titans coordinator could soon be available to join Vrabel in New England.