There were tough decisions made in the ‘Music City’.
In a shocking turn of events, the Tennessee Titans dismissed coach Mike Vrabel on Tuesday that will be the first domino to fall in what is expected to be a critical tear down and rebuild for the organization.
Vrabel, 48 years-of-age, was at the helm for six seasons, and went through the honeymoon phase when he first came on board in 2018, leading Tennessee to four straight winning season, posting a 54-45 record during his tenure. He led the Titans to three consecutive postseason berths from 2019-21, including a trip to the AFC championship game in the 2019 season. But the Titans have experienced back-to-back frustrating seasons, finishing multiple games under .500 both times.
After capturing the top seed in the conference in 2021, when Vrabel took home NFL Coach of the Year honors, the Titans fell in the divisional round to Joe Burrow and the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. From that point on, they could never quite find their footing. A 7-10 season in 2022 was followed by a 6-11 mark this season. The back-to-back subpar seasons, were the franchise’s first since way back in 2015.
Titans majority owner Amy Adams Strunk released the following statement Tuesday:
Embed from Getty Images“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.”
Vrabel’s ousting comes just a year after the Titans hired Ran Carthon as general manager, who took over the reins from Jon Robinson.
“As the NFL continues to innovate and evolve, I believe the team’s 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,” Strunk said.
The Titans are prepared for more breakups from cornerstone figures this offseason under Carthon’s direction. Four-time Pro Bowl halfback Derrick Henry thanked and acknowledged fans in the regular-season finale in a possible farewell, as he is getting set to hit the free agency market and appears unlikely to resign with the club. Longtime starting signal caller Ryan Tannehill, who was benched for rookie Will Levis halfway through the year, also is likely on the way out. The Titans selected Levis in the second round out of the University of Kentucky in last year’s draft, and he started nine games. The Titans have the No. 7 pick in the 2024 draft.
Henry was caught off guard by the firing of Vrabel.
“Wow. Wow. I’m shocked. Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He is a great coach and teacher. I know he will get another opportunity right away. I look forward to it, ” Henry told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
