Titans hire first-time head coach
The signs were all there.
Marcus Mariota regressed this season.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is available.
And Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson previously served as an executive with New England.
So who did Robinson hire to help Mariota reach his potential?
Of course, Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel.
The new head coach of the Tennessee Titans is Mike Vrabel. #TitanUp
Leader of Men 📰 » https://t.co/mE5I53cZs8 pic.twitter.com/P9WuvJ7Kol
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 20, 2018
Vrabel, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, just wrapped up his first season as a coordinator. Statistically, it didn’t go well.
Decimated by injuries — most notably to J.J. Watt — Vrabel’s unit gave up the most points in the NFL.
But as Robinson said earlier this week, he was looking for a “leader of men, team-first, detailed, tough and dependable” to replace Mike Mularkey.
On Saturday, Robinson said that’s exactly what he found.
“I have always had a great deal of respect for Mike as a player and as a coach,” Robinson said. “I saw him up close as a player for the Patriots and saw how he prepared himself to be successful on a daily basis. He was the ultimate team-first player, and he embodies that same mindset as a coach… I have seen him develop talent at both the college and NFL level, and put players in position for them to be successful. I am excited to get him in front of our team and watch us grow together as a team.”
During his playing career — which was spent primarily in New England, with stops in Pittsburgh and Kansas City — Vrabel was known as one of the league’s toughest players.
It certainly sounds like things haven’t changed.
“We want to build a culture around winning, competitiveness and toughness,” Vrabel said in a statement. “Everything we do is going to be geared toward winning and being physical. We want to prepare our players so they know what to do, which will allow them to play fast and aggressive.”
It’s likely that Vrabel scored big during his interview this week, according to Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback.
Best way someone ever described Mike Vrabel to me came a long time when he was a player: "He's owned every room he's ever walked into." That's the guy the Titans are getting.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 20, 2018
His former team — and teammates — couldn’t agree more.
Congratulations @CoachVrabel50! https://t.co/JAkP2xBCys
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 21, 2018
Congratulations @CoachVrabel50 so deserving Texans just lost the Best coach they had!
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) January 20, 2018
It’s only fitting on Conference Championship Sunday to point out that Vrabel holds a unique NFL distinction — he’s the only defensive player to score two Super Bowl touchdowns — as a receiver.
Tennessee is expected to officially introduce Vrabel as its new head coach Monday.
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