Tennessee Titans star running back Derrick Henry provided an immediate reaction to the team firing head coach Mike Vrabel.
The Tennessee Titans have fired head coach Mike Vrabel, a team source said. Just six weeks ago, owner Amy Adams Strunk had plans for Vrabel to be part of the organization for years to come, believing they had a top NFL coach. Recently, ownership changed its mind.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 9, 2024
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
Henry put up some of the best numbers of any running back in the league in his eighth season in the NFL and with the Titans. He started in every one of the Titans’ 17 games and accumulated 1,167 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns and 63 first downs rushing. Additionally, he led the NFL with 280 rushing attempts.
Vrabel coached the Titans to a 6-11 record during the regular season, which was the worst record of any team in the AFC South division. Tennessee played competitive football at home, as evidenced by the team’s 5-4 home record on the season.
But on the road, it was a different story. The Titans managed to win just one game away from home all season long, with that win coming against the Miami Dolphins — who finished the season with an impressive 11-6 record — on Dec. 11. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins played well in the team’s 28-27 victory, as he accumulated 124 receiving yards on seven receptions to go along with one receiving touchdown.
Vrabel spent six seasons as the head coach of the Titans franchise, with his first season with the team coming in the 2018 season. Prior to joining the Titans’ coaching staff, he worked as a defensive coordinator with the Houston Texans.
The Titans finished the regular season with a winning record in four out of his six seasons coaching the team. Arguably Vrabel’s most successful season coaching the Titans came during the 2021 season, when he coached the team to a 12-5 regular-season record.
But Tennessee failed to finish with a record above .500 in each of its last two seasons. Before finishing the 2023 regular season with a 6-11 record, the Titans ended the 2022 regular season with a 7-10 record.
If Henry’s instant reaction is any indication, he wasn’t expecting the Titans to fire Vrabel. Expect to see the Titans linked to several coaches in the coming months as they search for their new head coach.
