Titans, Head Coach Mike Mularkey Agree To "Part Ways"
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 07: A general view of the opening kickoff between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans during their game at LP Field on September 7, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
The Tennessee head coach is out.
The Titans assured head coach Mike Mularkey that he would be back leading the team in 2018 following his AFC Wild Card Game win over Kansas City a week ago. After the loss to New England on Saturday night, it was reported that Mularkey and the franchise were negotiating an extension.
Things have changed, apparently.
Now, it's being reported that Mularkey is out as Tennessee's head coach. It's being reported that it was a mutual decision between the coach and the franchise.
ESPN NFL insider Field Yates first reported the news.
"The Titans and head coach Mike Mularkey have mutually agreed to part ways, according to a league source," Yates reports.
Mularkey had been Tennessee's head coach since 2015.
"Just a week after the team said Mularkey would be the coach going forward, this happens. A massive surprise from Tennessee after Mularkey steadied that franchise. Respected man," Yates added.
Mularkey went 20-21 in three seasons as Tennessee's head coach. Many chalked up at least part of the Titans' loss to the Patriots due to a massive coaching discrepancy.
Update: The Titans have confirmed the news, chalking up the decision to not being able to "come to an agreement over the future."
Tennessee owner Amy Strunk released the following statement.
“I want to thank Mike Mularkey for his contributions to our franchise over his tenure with our organization. He took over our team during a low moment and together with Jon built a solid foundation for our franchise. I appreciated that Mike devoted himself to this team and the community.
In fact, we did discuss extending his future with our team over the past week, but in those discussions about the direction of the team, it became evident that we saw different paths to achieve greater success.
It is certainly unfortunate that we couldn’t find enough common ground. I generally believe that continuity is the best path for success, but I also view this as an important moment for our football team as we try to make that next step to sustained success on the field. Jon will begin the search immediately to identify that person.”
