NFL Rumors: Titans Coaching Options

Now that Jeff Fisher is out in Tennessee, we can begin to speculate as to who the next will be but before we look at the available options for the Titans, here are some one lines that have surfaced regarding the situation.

• John McClain of the Houston Chronicle writes that Titans senior executive vice president Steve Underwood, who helped to sway Bud Adams towards retaining Fisher and letting Vince Young go, will be retiring during the upcoming offseason.
• Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that one of the possible reasons for the teams decision to remove Fisher could because of the fact that Fisher made the decision to extended the contracts of his assistants for an additional year during December. Fisher had the authority to make decision regarding his coaching staff but he didn’t inform management of his decision to do so. During this time Fisher extending Chuck Cecil who was later released. Tennessee’s front office was apparently frustrated with the amount of time Fisher was taking to get a new staff in place.
• Darren McFarland of TitanInsider.com writes that Jeff Fisher decided to hire in his son Brandon which was initially approved by G.M. Mike Reinfeldt but was later prevented by Bud Adams. It’s hard to say how much of an impact that this situation had on the teams decision but it probably added to the tension on some level.

Anyways, here’s a look at the possible coaching options as promised.

Mike Munchak

Titans OL coach Munchak appears to be the favorite to become the teams next head coach. He has already turned down three offers this year to take position with other teams which included the Carolina Panthers head coaching job, per Adam Schefter.

Jason La Canfora reiterates that Munchak is the leading candidate according to league sources.

Gregg Williams

Williams is the other popular name that’s being tossed around as a strong possibility. It’s worth noting that Gregg Williams has already declined to interview for the Denver Broncos coaching vacancy and said that he was perfectly happy in New Orleans. ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas writes that ” Williams has talked in the past about how he’s happy in New Orleans and would only take a head-coaching job in what he views as a perfect situation. Despite his ties to the Titans, they might not fit his profile.”

Mike Heimerdinger

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger could also be an option.

Perry Fewell

Jason La Canfora also mentions that Fewell is another candidate that will likely get an interview but once again this could be another example of how the “Rooney Rule” isn’t producing the intended results. Fewell has interviewed for several jobs this season but has yet to land one which makes it seem as though he has filled the Rooney Rule requirement. It’s a slippery situation but it’s hard to see the rule as a complete success.

Other long-shot possibilities

Here are some names that don’t have a whole lot of traction at this point in time. Eric Mangini, Dom Capers, Kevin Gilbride, Mike Mularkey, Brian Billick, and Jim Fassel are all possibilities but not likely as of right now.