Former Tennessee Vols player mentioned as option to replace Mike Vrabel
The Tennessee Titans fired Mike Vrabel as the franchise's head coach on Tuesday afternoon after a second straight losing season. Vrabel, who led the Titans to two AFC South division titles during his six seasons leading the team, went 6-18 over his final 18 games with Tennessee. Shortly after Vrabel's firing, former Tennessee Vols linebacker […]
The Tennessee Titans fired Mike Vrabel as the franchise's head coach on Tuesday afternoon after a second straight losing season.
Vrabel, who led the Titans to two AFC South division titles during his six seasons leading the team, went 6-18 over his final 18 games with Tennessee.
Shortly after Vrabel's firing, former Tennessee Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo, who is currently a linebackers coach with the New England Patriots, was mentioned as a potential head coach option for the Titans.
"My understanding, for what it’s worth, is that Jarod Mayo is the one to watch here," noted The Guardian's Ollie Connolly on Tuesday. "They essentially want Vrabel again without the baggage of the last 12 months."
Mayo was a head coach candidate last offseason, though he turned down the opportunity to interview with the Carolina Panthers. Instead, he opted to sign an extension with the Patriots.
There's been speculation that Mayo is the potential heir to Bill Belichick in New England. It's unclear, for now, if Belichick will return as the Patriots' head coach in 2024, though clarity on that situation should come in the following days. Complicating that situation is the sudden availability of Vrabel, a coach that Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly considers a home run choice to replace Belichick.
Mayo played in the NFL from 2008 to 2015. He was was a first round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft after a standout career for the Volunteers. Mayo started his coaching career with the Patriots in 2019.
Can Alabama hire Jeremy Pruitt to replace Kevin Steele as the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator?
Kevin Steele is retiring as Alabama’s defensive coordinator
