Finally, in a coaching search filled with underwhelming names like Matt Nagy and Vance Joseph, a winning name has entered the fray. The Tennessee Titans will interview Mike McCarthy for their vacant head coach position, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
It's a natural fit, as the Titans are in desperate need of a proven coach to right the ship. McCarthy, for all of his playoff downfalls, has proven that he knows how to win football games.
This interview may seem like a minor update, but it could be the first step in bringing the Titans back to competence.
Titans' Mike McCarthy head coach interview makes too much sense
The NFL coaching carousel is all about connections, and McCarthy just happens to be well-connected to the Titans. He spent time with their current President of Football Operations, Chad Brinker, in Green Bay for a decade. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi is leading the team's search for a head coach, but Brinker is assisting. The connection could prove to be crucial in the franchise's decision on who to hire.
But beyond connections, this fit makes sense for Tennessee. McCarthy is a proven winner who has been able to take a year off from coaching, refining his scheme and learning from his previous mistakes. He's often criticized for falling short in the playoffs, but the simple fact that he consistently reached the playoffs should be encouraging for Titans fans.
In his 18 seasons as an NFL head coach, McCarthy has had 11 years with double-digit wins. His all-time winning percentage of 60.8% has him sandwiched between legends like Bill Walsh and Tom Landry, and well above current coaches like Kyle Shanahan and Dan Campbell. His consistent success is often overlooked, but he's been an impactful coach over the last two decades.
Whoever the Titans choose, Cam Ward's future will need to be a deciding factor. The young quarterback offers this franchise its best chance at success over the next few years, so the team needs to be built around him. McCarthy's experience developing quarterbacks and his relatively simple scheme could help Ward fulfill his potential. In a system where he knows where the ball is supposed to go, the young QB could show off his elite arm talent.
McCarthy will probably have a few suitors in this coaching cycle. Hopefully, the Titans can make the hire before another franchise jumps on the opportunity.