The Titans have fired head coach Mike Vrabel after six years.
Vrabel went 54-45 in the regular season during his tenure, posting four straight winning campaigns from 2018 until 2021. During that stretch, the Titans reached the playoffs three times, won the AFC South twice and went to the AFC Championship following the 2019 season.
Vrabel was named the NFL Coach of the Year following the 2021 season.
But the Titans, after starting 7-3 in 2022, came apart at the seams midway through that season. They lost their final seven contests, including a season finale that would have allowed them to win the division and reach the playoffs.
The struggles continued in 2023, as the team lost seven of its first 10 games and finished 6-11. The Titans went 1-5 in the AFC South, finishing last in the division.
Vrabel will likely be a candidate for several open head-coaching jobs around the league.
He had been rumored to have interest in the job at New England, if the Patriots part ways with Bill Belichick.
Here are the comments of Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk regarding Vrabel’s firing:
“Earlier today, I spoke with Mike Vrabel and told him about my decision to make a change at head coach. As I told Coach Vrabel, this decision was as difficult as any I’ve made as Controlling Owner. I appreciate Mike's contributions to the Tennessee Titans both on and off the field. Anyone who has ever met him knows how passionate and genuine he is, and he’s been a strong supporter of the Nashville community. We wish Mike, Jen, and the Vrabel family nothing but the best in the future.
As the NFL continues to innovate and evolve, I believe the teams best positioned for sustained success will be those who empower an aligned and collaborative team across all football functions. Last year, we began a shift in our approach to football leadership and made several changes to our personnel to advance that plan. As I continued to assess the state of our team, I arrived at the conclusion that the team would also benefit from the fresh approach and perspective of a new coaching staff.
I believe the Tennessee Titans can and will be a premier National Football League franchise. It’s what our fans deserve, and there will be hard decisions along the way. My decision today is not only a reflection of my disappointment in our past two seasons, but also my recognition that further changes are necessary to fully achieve our vision.
I will never shy away from acknowledging that I have unapologetically high expectations for the football team and every aspect of the Titans organization. Our vision is not simply to produce more wins than losses, it is to regularly compete for championships. While this season was disappointing, I see early signs of progress taking shape. Last year we added a promising young quarterback and several other talented players to our roster. With a coaching search, enviable cap space, and top-10 draft position, this offseason is as important as any in our history. I’m excited for the weeks and months ahead. We will meet the moment.”
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
