The Tennessee Titans surprisingly made the decision Tuesday to name Mike Vrabel as head coach, after going 54-45 in six seasons with two AFC South titles and three playoff appearances. A 6-18 record in his last 24 games, including a 7-10 mark after a 7-3 start in 2022, has helped determine Vrabel’s fate at Tennessee — regardless of his previous success had with the franchise.
Since the Titans made the controversial decision to fire Vrabel, the franchise has been rebuilding without the head coach who kept the organization stable. Tennessee is likely looking for an offensive-minded head coach, one who will pick their own quarterback and shape the roster in his image.
The Titans didn’t take last place in the AFC South lightly, so they blew it. Who are the best coaching candidates available to Tennessee, given the direction the franchise is heading?
This list does not include Bill Belichick or Jim Harbaugh, since the Titans appear to be embarking on a rebuild, a different direction than those two are likely seeking for their next NFL head coaching opportunity (if they want one). All of these candidates would be first-time head coaches.
5. Mike McDonald
- Age: 36
- Current role: Ravens defensive coordinator
Perhaps Vrabel having a defensive background forces the Titans to go in the opposite direction, but Macdonald is the best defensive coordinator available this hiring cycle. Macdonald was with the Ravens under Wink Martindale from 2014-2020 before serving as Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2021.
Since Macdonald’s return to Baltimore in 2022, the Ravens have led the league in points allowed per game (16.5) and were sixth in yards allowed per game (301.4). Baltimore led the NFL in points per possession allowed (1.35).
The Ravens feature an elite defense led by Macdonald, one of the league’s brilliant defensive minds.
4. Lincoln Riley
- Age: 40
- Current role: USC head coach
If the Titans go for an innovative offensive mind, would they take a chance on Riley? The USC head coach has developed many quarterbacks at Oklahoma and USC, including Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams. The problem with the Titans is simple: Do they have a franchise quarterback attractive enough for Riley to leave the college ranks?
The “Air Raid” offense would be intriguing for any franchise, and it fits with how the NFL has become a passing league. Riley would be an “outside the box” recruit, but the Titans already had an “outside the box” shot.
3. Bobby Slowik
- Age: 36
- Current role: Texans offensive coordinator
Slowik has only been offensive coordinator for a year, but the Texans player has worked wonders with CJ Stroud this season. Stroud was only the fifth rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season and became the first rookie since at least 1950 to lead the NFL in passing yards at the end of any week following the week 13 and has the second most 25-yard completions (38) by any quarterback through 13 career games over the last 30 seasons (Patrick Mahomes has the most with 44).
The Texans’ offense went from 31st and 32nd in points (1.43) and yards per possession (24.3) to 13th in both categories (1.89, 30.4). Slowik is already a game player, so settling into a head coaching role would be a smoother transition. It also helps that he spent his entire head coaching career with Kyle Shanahan before joining the Texans.
Maybe Slowik isn’t ready to be a head coach yet (like Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in 2022), but it would be wise for the Titans to call.
- Age: 37
- Current role: Lions Offensive Coordinator
The top offensive name among NFL head coaching candidates, Johnson has experience as wide receivers coach with the Miami Dolphins, and he raised his stock as offensive coordinator in Detroit. The Lions are fourth in points per possession (2.44) and fourth in yards per possession (35.8) under Johnson and rank in the top five in rushing yards per game (135.9) and yards per carry (4.6). The Lions finished fourth in points per possession (2.48) and third in yards per possession (36.6) last season – Johnson’s first year as offensive coordinator.
Johnson could revitalize the Titans franchise with new ideas, and he would have time to repair the roster in his image. Tennessee appears to be adopting an offensive identity with its next head coach and the franchise has a tendency to hire young head coaches (based on the last 30 years). Maybe Johnson is the direction they ran.
1. Eric Bieniemy
- Age: 54
- Current role: Commanders Offensive Coordinator
Bieniemy still hasn’t gotten a head coaching job despite many excellent years as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs. He called it quits to play with the Commanders this season, but Ron Rivera was fired this week.
The Chiefs scored the most points per game in the NFL (30.1) when Bieniemy was the offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022, as well as the most yards per game (406.2). Kansas City also had the NFL’s best record during Bieniemy’s run, going 64-18 with five conference championship game appearances and two Super Bowl titles during the five years he was offensive coordinator. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also recorded the most passing yards, passing touchdowns and highest passer rating during that span – all with Bieniemy as offensive coordinator.
The development of Mahomes — and Sam Howell for at least the first half of the season — could be enough to give Bieniemy a chance with a rebuilding team. Coming from the Andy Reid coaching tree doesn’t hurt either, which could be the direction the Titans are looking for this next cycle.