Former Tennessee Vols player endorses Mike Vrabel for open NFL job
The Tennessee Titans surprised the NFL world on Tuesday by firing head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel, who led the team for six seasons, went 6-18 in his final 24 games with the Titans while coaching a lackluster roster. The former Pro Bowl linebacker, however, isn't expected to be out of a job for long. Vrabel, […]
The Tennessee Titans surprised the NFL world on Tuesday by firing head coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel, who led the team for six seasons, went 6-18 in his final 24 games with the Titans while coaching a lackluster roster.
The former Pro Bowl linebacker, however, isn't expected to be out of a job for long. Vrabel, who led the Titans to two AFC South division titles, is expected to be an in-demand candidate for NFL teams that are looking for a new head coach.
On Wednesday, former Tennessee Vols linebacker Charles Davis, who is currently an analyst for CBS, appeared on WFNZ's "Mac and Bone" and he suggested that Vrabel would be a great fit for the Carolina Panthers.
"I think he (Vrabel) is the type of guy that you want to be your head coach," said Davis. "In fact, to me, he would be ideal in Carolina. You gotta bring an offensive staff with you that's going to fix Bryce Young, but everything else about [Vrabel], commanding the room, having presence, people respecting you, understanding and coaching and knowing the game. Mike Vrabel checks every box with double checks in everything."
"Just make sure you bring that staff with you that's going to fix Bryce Young," added Davis. "And you've got your head coach that I would jump up and down for you and say 'I think you've hit it right'. But that's the part that's going to be key — how does Bryce Young get fixed? How does this offense go? Who's in charge of that? That's going to be your key. But the rest of it, that's your head coach."
"Because I really think people look at it the wrong way with hiring a head coach. Give me a head coach with presence and commands the room and has respect, I'll fix the rest of it as I go along."
Vrabel, as a defensive minded head coach, would certainly need to bring a savvy offensive coordinator with him if he was hired by Carolina. But otherwise, he's exactly what the struggling franchise needs. Vrabel would instantly bring stability to a franchise that has been lost since firing Ron Rivera after the 2019 season.
Of course, the big question is whether or not Vrabel would entertain taking the Panthers job. It's not exactly the most desirable job in the NFL right now thanks to an overzealous owner in David Tepper that's made a hobby out of firing coaches over the last several years. Vrabel and Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk clearly didn't see eye to eye on the direction of the Tennessee franchise (which is what led to Vrabel's ouster). Tepper seems far more difficult to work with, which could give Vrabel pause if he's approached by the Panthers.
Former Tennessee Vols player mentioned as option to replace Mike Vrabel
A former Vol was mentioned as an option to replace Mike Vrabel
