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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Tennessee Titans hire Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel as coach

FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2017, file photo, Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Tennessee Titans have finished interviewing Houston defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, the first candidate for their head coach opening. The Titans announced they concluded the interview early Thursday afternoon, Jan. 18, 2018. 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 is coming off his first season as defensive coordinator for the Texans. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2017, file photo, Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Tennessee Titans have finished interviewing Houston defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, the first candidate for their head coach opening. The Titans announced they concluded the interview early Thursday afternoon, Jan. 18, 2018. 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 is coming off his first season as defensive coordinator for the Texans. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee Titans hired Houston defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel as their new coach in a fast search that wrapped up after three interviews and just five days after firing Mike Mularkey.

The Titans announced Saturday they have agreed to terms with Vrabel. A news conference was scheduled for Monday.

Vrabel was the first person Tennessee interviewed after firing Mularkey on Monday. Mularkey, who also coached Buffalo and Jacksonville, went 21-22 and led the franchise to its first playoff victory in 14 years . This will be Vrabel’s first head coaching job after 18 years in the NFL – 14 as a player and four as a coach.

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement it was easy to see Vrabel’s commanding presence and relationship with general manager Jon Robinson. The GM got his start in the NFL as a scout with the New England Patriots, where Vrabel won three Super Bowls as a linebacker.

“Mike has a commanding presence and a deep understanding for how he will attack this head coaching opportunity,” Strunk said.