Mularkey puts focus on foe, not job hunting
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
There is a lot of uncertainty in the coaching ranks these days, but one job that’s safe is Titans head coach. It was believed Mike Mularkey was a goner if he didn’t win Saturday’s wild card game in Kansas City. And with former Patriots executive Jon Robinson the general manager there, the Music City was another possible destination for Pats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
But Mularkey, who said after his team’s win over the Chiefs he “assumed the worst” would happen if they lost, will remain. Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk gave Mularkey a vote of confidence yesterday, saying in a statement: “Just to eliminate any distractions moving forward, Mike Mularkey is our head coach and will be our head coach moving forward.”
Hours later, Mularkey said the statement was nice and that the Titans “absolutely” are on the same page together. Asked if the statement has put his mind at ease, Mularkey said he’s addressed the situation with his staff and won’t talk about it anymore.
“I’m already onto New England,” Mularkey said. “It’s been addressed, and I’m full-speed ahead getting ready for New England with our staff.”
Mularkey will bring the Titans to Foxboro on Saturday as significant underdogs.
Pats deny Texans
The Patriots have denied a request from the Houston Texans to interview director of player personnel Nick Caserio and director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort for Houston’s general manager job, according to an ESPN report.
Caserio was allowed to talk with the 49ers last year, but apparently is not being afforded the same opportunity this time around.
According to the report, however, under the loosened league guidelines for hiring league executives from other teams, Caserio and Ossenfort still could interview for the job after the Patriots’ season ends.
Current Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, who has a year remaining on his deal and is waiting on an extension, has a good relationship with Caserio. The Texans are currently interviewing other candidates. Will they want to wait for Caserio, who is said to have interest?
Members of the Patriots coaching staff have been in high demand, as the team could possibly lose coordinators McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Linebackers coach Brian Flores (Cardinals) has also interviewed. Patricia is a favorite for the Lions job while McDaniels (Colts, Giants, Bears) could land in one of several places.
Downright tropical
While New England has been dealing with frigid temperatures (in addition to plenty of snow), Saturday night’s game will come nowhere close to the last time the Pats met the Titans in the playoffs. That division round contest on Jan. 10, 2004 had a game-time temperature of 4 degrees and a wind chill of minus-10.
The Pats won it, 17-14, on a 46-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri with 4:06 to play, and went on to win their second Super Bowl title, 3229 over the Panthers.
This Saturday’s weather is forecast to be around 27 degrees at game time after a high of 42 during the day.