Tennessee Titans Hire Mike Vrabel As Head Coach

According to multiple sources, Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel has been named the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Vrabel was the Texans’ defensive coordinator for only one season but came to Houston as its linebackers coach in 2014 as part of Bill O’Brien’s first staff in Houston. The team promoted Vrabel to defensive coordinator a year ago after the 49ers unsuccessfully tried to make him their DC in 2016.

The 14-year NFL vet interviewed for several head coaching openings in the last few weeks, including the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts, but the one that he accepts is the one he interviewed for last after Tennessee chose to “mutually part ways” with former head coach Mike Mularkey following their Divisional Round playoff loss to the Patriots a week ago.

There’s been plenty of buzz about Vrabel’s eventual ascension to a head coaching position in the NFL for some time, so the fact that he’s become a head coach is not a surprise, though how fast it happened and where it will happen is a bit unexpected, particularly after the Texans’ defense struggled this past season.

We will add more as this story develops. In the meantime, react to the news as you see fit below, including but not limited to who you’d like to see Bill O’Brien make Houston’s next defensive coordinator.

UPDATE: The Texans may turn to a familiar face to fill their vacancy at defensive coordinator.

UPDATE II: Bill O’Brien has confirmed Romeo Crennel is the Texans’ defensive coordinator again.