Tennessee Titans name Mike Vrabel next head coach

The Titans have hired a young defensive coordinator to be their head coach

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel has officially been named the Tennessee Titans head coach according to the team’s Twitter page.

Vrabel spent the last four years with Houston, first as a linebackers coach and most recently running the Texans defense. Just 42 years old Vrabel is one of the youngest head coaches in the NFL, and a much different voice than recently fired 56-year-old coach Mike Mularkey.

Tennessee wrapped up their head coaching search fairly quickly after firing Mularkey after the division playoffs. Despite back-to-back 9-7 seasons and a playoff win the Titans and Mularkey couldn’t agree on how to fill the offensive coaching staff.

Vrabel will be tasked with finding an offensive coordinator who can develop quarterback Marcus Mariota, whom the team feels hasn’t lived up to his full potential. Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan has interviewed for the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator position, but moving to Tennessee with Vrabel is certainly a more appealing job.

Playing 14 years in the NFL, Vrabel was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Ohio State. Vrabel earned a Pro Bowl appearance playing linebacker in 2007 with the New England Patriots. Playing in 206 games Vrabel recorded 57 sacks and 19 forced fumbles, primarily with the Patriots.

Vrabel won three Super Bowls with the Patriots before retiring with the Chiefs in 2010.

Next: 106 underclassmen declare for the NFL Draft

With the Titans head coaching job now filled the Giants, Colts, Cardinals, and Lions remain as the lone job openings. Three of those teams, Indianapolis, New York and Detroit are rumored to have their sights set on assistant coaches still in the playoffs. Arizona hasn’t been heavily connected to any candidates since Bruce Arians retired at the end of the season.