We heard all about continuity last offseason when the Tennessee Titans promoted then-tight ends coach Arthur Smith to offensive coordinator.
Now, with the departure of Dean Pees in 2020, the Titans will aim for the same sense of continuity as they decide what to do about the current vacancy at defensive coordinator.
Head coach Mike Vrabel touched on that a bit on Thursday.
“I would say to bring in a guy who hasn’t been in our system and done what we have done in Houston or here isn’t what I want to do,” he said in a report by the team’s Jim Wyatt. “So whoever calls the defense, we are going to do pretty much what we have done. We are going to continue to add and enhance things, but to me that is not a big deal. I want guys that are loyal, that are great teachers and good developers.”
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This could mean a number of different things.
For one, the idea of Vrabel coaching the defense himself is far from out of the picture.
“The general feeling within the Titans facility is that Mike Vrabel isn’t likely to name a DC,” ESPN’s Turron Davenport said earlier this week. “Expect Coach Vrabel to have a larger role with the defense.”
The Titans could also promote from within, making outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen the team’s new defensive coordinator.
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Tennessee could also seek an outside candidate who has some sort of connection or experience with Vrabel who would settle in quickly and keep things moving in the direction they have been.
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