Titans begin coaching search by interviewing Vrabel, Wilks
NASHVILLE, TENN. » The Tennessee Titans kicked off their search for a new head coach Thursday with a pair of interviews — both defensive coordinators who’ve never been NFL head coaches.
The Titans confirmed they interviewed Houston’s Mike Vrabel and Carolina’s Steve Wilks. Tennessee is looking to replace Mike Mularkey, fired Monday after he went 21- 22 and won the franchise’s first playoff game in 14 years.
Vrabel, 42, has never been a head coach at any level. He is coming off his first season as defensive coordinator for the Texans. Vrabel played 14 years in the NFL with Pittsburgh, New England where he won three Super Bowl titles and Kansas City before going into coaching. He started coaching in 2011 at his alma mater, Ohio State. He coached linebackers and defensive linemen.
Vrabel went to Houston in 2014 and coached linebackers with the Texans for three seasons before becoming coordinator.
Wilks has only been a head coach in college at Savannah State in 1999. His first season as defensive coordinator with the Panthers was 2017, but he has coached with Chicago, the Chargers and joined Carolina in 2012. Wilks was assistant coach in 2015 and 2016. head
Steelers select Fichtner as offensive coordinator
PITTSBURGH » The Steelers didn’t look very far for offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s replacement, promoting longtime quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner to the position, four days after Pittsburgh’s season ended with a divisional round playoff loss to Jacksonville.
The Steelers chose not to renew Haley’s contract, opening the door for Fichtner to take over one of the league’s most dynamic offenses. The 54-year-old Fichtner last called plays while serving as offensive coordinator at Memphis from 2001-06.
He joined Pittsburgh’s coaching staff in 2007 as one of coach Mike Tomlin’s initial hires. Fichtner spent three seasons as wide receivers coach before becoming the quarterbacks coach in 2010.