Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has officially broken his trend of not firing coaches mid-season. 

Vrabel announced during Monday morning's press conference that special teams coach Craig Aukerman has been fired. 

The #Titans have fired Craig Aukerman.

— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) December 4, 2023

The decision comes one day after the Titans' special teams put on a disastrous performance against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. 

Not only did the Titans have back-to-back blocked punts in their 31-28 loss to Indy, but punter Ryan Stonehouse was also significantly injured. 

In all seriousness… #Titans special teams have been bad for a while. The only difference has been claiming Nick Folk.

Now, Craig Auckerman’s unit just got Ryan Stonehouse significantly injured on back-to-back blocked punts.

— Austin Stanley (@AustinStanley81) December 3, 2023

Stonehouse's injury appeared to be the final straw on what has been abysmal of a season for the Titans' special teams. 

Craig Auckerman had a long list of issues with Titans special teams that didn’t get fixed:

– rotating door of punt returns who can’t catch punts (starting w/ Adoree)
– rotating door of kickers who weren’t consistent
– ST penalty rate

Stonehouse injury the nail in the coffin https://t.co/OKdqC0NAFa

— Austin Stanley (@AustinStanley81) December 4, 2023

"There's no real precedence to anything," Vrabel said on his decision to make a change on his coaching staff at special teams. "We try to get a feel for what's best and what's needed. And whether we've done something in the past. There are times when we haven't run a certain coverage or we haven't run certain plays. Those decisions are about timing and feel. So, that's the decision that was made. We're going to get back to work here, moving forward and trying to get as healthy as possible and go down and win a game against a very good opponent on the road on a big stage." 

Mike Vrabel on his decision to make a change on his coaching staff at special teams. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/85KxrqzFO2

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 4, 2023

Mike Vrabel goes against what he said November 20

Following a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Vrabel was asked about making in-season coaching changes, to which he said he didn't believe in making those type of changes.

Mike Vrabel elaborates on the #Titans coaching staff, why he won’t consider making changes, and why he thinks the Jags are better coached. pic.twitter.com/MSb99xzah8

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) November 20, 2023

Auckerman is the first assistant coach fired by Vrabel in season. Former offensive coordinator Todd Downing was fired following the end of the 2022 regular season, even when a firing could have been justified by a DUI arrest on November 18, 2022. 

Injury updates for Ryan Stonehouse, Jeffery Simmons, Derrick Henry, and Kristian Fulton

Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse is out for the season and does require having knee surgery following the ugly hit taken on the Colt's second blocked punt Sunday.

Jeffery Simmons is going to "miss a couple weeks" with a knee injury, per Vreabel. 

Derrick Henry is no longer in the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday's game in the fourth quarter and was "evaluated for a concussion". Henry didn't return to the game.

Titans corner Kristian Fulton was injured with a hamstring problem late in overtime, and was off the field for the Colts game-winning touchdown score by Michael Pittman Jr. Fulton will have an MRI this week.

Titans on Primetime vs NFL Powerhouse Dolphins

All eyes will be on Titans' special teams assistant Tom Quinn as he steps up in Aukerman's place on Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14. 

Multiple Titans disagree with officiating in loss to Colts

These missed calls changed the game.