Steelers News

Titans Fire former Steelers LB Mike Vrabel as Head Coach

Published

4 months ago

January 9, 2024

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 2, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Tennessee Titans have fired former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Mike Vrabel as their head coach, the team announced on Tuesday.

Vrabel, 48, had been the head coach of the Titans since 2018, leading them to a 56-48 overall record. The Titans were 6-11 this season, winning their final game over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday to let the Steelers into the playoffs.

“Earlier today, I spoke with Mike Vrabel and told him about my decision to make a change at head coach,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk wrote in a press release. “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. …

“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.”

General manager Ran Carthon, who was hired last offseason, will run the search for a new coach.

Vrabel is expected to draw significant interest as a head coach candidate, especially if the New England Patriots move on from Bill Belichick. Vrabel signed with the Patriots in 2001 after spending his first four seasons with the Steelers and won three Super Bowls in New England.

An Akron, Ohio native, the Steelers drafted Vrabel in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played 51 games for the team, recording 56 tackles, four tackles for loss and seven sacks.