Tennessee Titans fire former coach of the year Mike Vrabel

The Tennessee Titans have fired former NFL coach of the year Mike Vrabel from the team announced on Tuesday.

Vrabel was named Titans head coach in 2018 and led them to four consecutive winning seasons, including a trip to the AFC championship game in the 2019 season. Vrabel was named NFL Coach of the Year in the 2021 season, but the team lost records in 2022 and 2023 and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Titans want to overhaul their staff. The Titans finished the 2023 season with a 6-11 record, although five of their losses were by four points or fewer.

Titans star Derrick Henry was surprised when told about the fire.

“Wow. Wow. I’m shocked. Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He’s a great coach and teacher,” Henry told the Athletic. “I know he’ll get another opportunity right away. I’m looking forward to it.”

Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player for the Patriots, is tipped by some as Bill Belichick’s successor as head coach in New England.

The 48-year-old is the latest head coach to lose his job in recent days after Ron Rivera (Washington Commanders) and Arthur Smith (Atlanta Falcons) were fired following the end of the regular season. Belichick’s future is the subject of speculation after the Patriots went 4-13 this season, the team’s worst record during his time in New England.