Ray Horton Expected To Remain With Titans As Defensive Coordinator

Update:

Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports defensive coordinator Ray Horton expects to remain with the team, despite the talk that he was upset and could join the Browns’ coaching staff.

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Paul Kuharsky spoke with Ray Horton, who denies the report that he’s “insulted” by the Titans decision to go with Mike Mularkey as their head coach.

Interestingly enough, Horton says they’re negotiating a contract extension.

“I’m not insulted. I was very happy Mrs. Strunk gave me an interview,” Horton said. “I think she was very impressed with me. I was told some ideas I gave are going to be implemented. I’m still under contract. I’m talking about a contract extension. The insulted comment is not true. I’m very happy. I was very happy to be interviewed.”

Kuharsky adds that Horton’s contract is not expiring.

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Jason Wolf of the Tennessean reports that Titans DC Ray Horton will be released from his contract and join the Browns’ coaching staff as their new defensive coordinator.

According to John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which promotes NFL minority hiring, Horton was “insulted” by the Titans, who ultimately hired Mike Mularkey as their head coach.

“They insulted him,” said Wooten. “…The Browns had put in a request to interview him, and then Tennessee interviewed him (for the head coaching job Saturday). And they said that they didn’t know that he had any interest in being a head coach. Well, that’s an insult to the man. That is just an insult.

“And then when he got in the interview, they seemed shocked that he was as prepared and knowledgeable and everything else at that point,” Wooten said. “And they of course already interviewed Mularkey on Friday, and they gave the job to Mularkey.”

Previous reports had said that new Browns HC Hue Jackson was targeting Horton to run his defense along with Buccaneers DC Leslie Frazier, so this doesn’t come as a big surprise.

Tennessee hired Horton a few years ago when they brought in Ken Whisenhunt as their head coach. Last year, the Titans bolstered their defensive coaching staff by hiring long-time Steelers DC Dick LeBeau, who could be a candidate to take over for Horton.

In 2015, Horton’s unit ranked No. 15 in total yards allowed, No. 7 in pass yards allowed, No. 18 in rushing yards allowed, and 27th in points allowed.