4 leading contenders for the Tennessee Titans head coaching vacancy
This offseason, the Tennessee Titans will be looking at a number of options.
After six seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Mike Vrabel was fired on Tuesday. While speculations about Vrabel’s future with the franchise have been circulating for months, many fans throughout the league were taken aback by the move.
The Titans went 54-45 under Vrabel, including three consecutive postseason appearances from 2019 to 2021. Vrabel will almost certainly find another head coaching position. However, it is unclear where the Titans will go from here. Here are four of the leading possibilities for the Tennessee Titans head coaching position.
Frank Smith
Offensive coordinator Miami Dolphins
Many people have compared Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel to Kyle Shanahan. If that’s the case, McDaniel might want to build his own coaching tree. Before joining the Dolphins in 2022, offensive coordinator Frank Smith worked with the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints.
Given McDaniel’s importance in offensive play calling and game planning, evaluating Smith’s coaching ability is more difficult. His interviews will be more important than those of other, more established applicants. However, having his name associated with Miami’s creative approach should be enough to pique his attention.
As good as Tyreek Hill is, the Dolphins’ offense is much more than just having speedy guys; their unique take on pre-snap motion has already influenced other teams. Smith’s experience with McDaniel may aid him in developing a high-powered offense in Tennessee.
Mike Macdonald
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator
The Titans may appear to prioritize offensive-minded coaches, but Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald may be an exception. In just two years, he has established himself as one of the league’s most renowned defensive coordinators. The work Macdonald has done with the Baltimore defense is a compelling sell.
The defense can get to the quarterback without blitzing, minimizes explosive plays, is stingy against the pass and run, generates turnovers, and has excellent tackling. This type of all-around defense is what teams want. The talent helps Macdonald in Baltimore, but his strategy is adaptable enough to work elsewhere.
Macdonald’s recent achievements, along with his youth, make him an intriguing candidate. The Titans may keep their defensive character while also becoming younger and more imaginative.
Bobby Slowik
Houston Texans offensive coordinator
The Houston Texans have been the season’s biggest surprise, going from three victories a year ago to winning the AFC South. The Titans, as a division rival, had a front-row seat to the team’s remarkable growth.
Houston has an enviable situation. They have depth, youth, and excellent coaching. Not everything can be recreated, but if the team wants to build an attack comparable to the one that propelled C.J. Stroud to the potential rookie of the year, they don’t have to look any further than Bobby Slowik.
Slowik has done a fantastic job of designing an offense that supports the quarterback while also allowing him to create plays outside of the structure. Although Levis is not a carbon duplicate of Stroud, implementing this offense in Tennessee might be extremely beneficial to his development.
With current Titans GM Ran Carthon formerly working in San Francisco while Slowik was also there, the two could already be acquainted. Increasing the likelihood of the Houston offensive coordinator getting the job.
Ben Johnson
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
Firing Vrabel would imply that the Titans want to move in a different direction. This entails seeking people that have different archetypes than their former head coach. Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, fits this profile.
The Lions offensive coordinator is at the top of nearly every list of head coaches. He’s done an outstanding job with Detroit’s offense, particularly with Jared Goff. Johnson’s style and play calling make him an appealing choice for any team that has a young quarterback. With Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill on their way out, it’s time to revamp the offense.
For the Titans, pairing Johnson with Will Levis would be a dream come true. Having said that, pursuing such a sought-after candidate has its drawbacks. Other teams will be interested in Johnson. Johnson must not only sell Tennessee on him; the Titans must also sell Johnson on them.
Even if Johnson loves Levis, the Titans will need to make further offensive adjustments to allow Johnson to replicate his success with the Lions. Johnson appears to be the coaching class’s crown prize. The 37-year-old has all the makings of a great NFL coach, and the Titans would be remiss if they did not pursue him.
Other names to watch
Candidates with similar backgrounds to Vrabel could still warrant consideration
This appears to be one of the most talented classes of head coaching hopefuls in recent memory. Every team trying to fill a vacancy has numerous possibilities.
Some names for the Titans make more sense than others. It’s worth noting that Vrabel was a successful coach in Tennessee. It would be counterproductive to fire Vrabel and then hire someone with a similar background to succeed him.
Current defensive coordinators such as Steve Wilks of the San Francisco 49ers, Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings, and Aaron Glenn of the Detroit Lions are also viable options. Still, it’s difficult to see how they’d be a better option than Vrabel.
Bill Belichick’s name has been floated as a possible candidate for the Titans’ head coaching job if he leaves New England, although this seems improbable given the Titans’ current situation and Belichick’s desire to coach a contender.
This offseason will be crucial for the Titans’ football future. Some may be outraged by the decision to fire Vrabel, but the move will be judged mostly by who is brought in to replace him. Tennessee has a plethora of candidates to pick from; all that remains is to find the ideal one.
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