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The Tennessee Titans reportedly fired head coach Mike Vrabel on Tuesday. Longtime Titans running back Derrick Henry was surprised by the decision.
“Wow. I’m shocked,” Henry told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. “Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He is a great coach and teacher. I know he will get another opportunity right away. I look forward to it.”
Just spoke to Derrick Henry over the phone, “Wow. Wow. I’m shocked. Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He is a great coach and teacher. I know he will get another opportunity right away. I look forward to it.”
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 9, 2024
The Titans tallied a winning record in each of Vrabel’s first four seasons, including three playoff appearances and consecutive AFC South titles in 2020 and 2021.
Vrabel led Tennessee to the AFC Championship Game after defeating his former team, the New England Patriots, in Tom Brady’s final game with the franchise. He was named Coach of the Year after the Titans went 12-5 in 2021.
Yet the Titans followed a 7-3 start with seven consecutive losses to close 2022. They finished this season 6-11 after a Week 18 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite Henry registering his fifth 1,000-yard rushing season under Vrabel, the Titans ranked 27th in scoring and 28th in total offense after finishing 28th and 30th in those respective categories the previous year.
Several Titans players still backed Vrabel after the season.
“I love Vrabes. He’s an awesome guy,” starting guard Daniel Brunskill said. “I would love to have him as our coach going forward because he’s a great locker room guy being a former player and understanding everything we’ve gone through as players.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Vrabel will emerge as a “Tier 1 candidate” for other head coaching vacancies. He may not be the only prominent person leaving Tennessee.
Henry is a free agent, so the 30-year-old running back may have played his final game for the Titans.