Just hours after the Tennessee Titans announced the hiring of passing-game coordinator Tim Kelly as offensive coordinator, along with other staff moves, head coach Mike Vrabel met with the media to discuss the decisions.
On top of promoting Kelly, the Titans hired Charles London as offensive pass-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Chris Harris as defensive pass-game coordinator and cornerbacks coach, and Lori Locust and Justin Hamilton as defensive quality control coaches.
Tennessee also shuffled coaches from last year’s staff, moving Pat O’Hara from quarterbacks coach to pass-game analyst, Luke Steckel from tight ends to run-game analyst, and Tony Dews from running backs to tight ends.
As of right now, the Titans have yet to hire someone to take Dews’ place, but as Vrabel revealed during the presser, the staff is about 95 percent filled, so more hires are coming.
Now, a look at everything Vrabel had to say about the coaching staff shake-up that was announced on Tuesday.
On filling out the rest of the staff
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel: The staff is 95 percent complete. Went through multiple candidates at each position. Excited about where this is going to go
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) February 7, 2023
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel: Still looking for RBs coach, and have talked to some candidates. Want to find the best person that can help us in that position.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) February 7, 2023
On Kelly as OC
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel: Tim Kelly is the "right fit for us, the perfect fit" at OC. He can provide some familiarity and carry-over to what we are doing. I don't think everything is broken, and he can help us. I've seen him call games against us & he has a great feel for the game
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) February 7, 2023
Vrabel also loved Kelly's energy and leadership. #Titans
— Kayla Anderson (@KaylaAndersonTV) February 7, 2023
On Kelly's 2022 role
#Titans Mike Vrabel on the role Tim Kelly had as Passing Game Coordinator: I'd asked him to focus and assist with TEs at practice and a lot of preparation during the week, working with former OC Todd Downing and Vrabel himself. Worked a lot on the 1st and 2nd down passing game.
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) February 7, 2023
On not giving Kelly a look during 2022
Mike Vrabel: I don't think that during the season anything really would have mattered (regarding a move with Tim Kelly). #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) February 7, 2023
On Charles London as pass-game coordinator/QBs coach
#Titans Mike Vrabel on Charles London:
I appreciate Charles London and what he brings from Chicago and then Atlanta w/QBs. His primary role will be working w/the QB. He’ll help with some of the things how we use the terminology, how weee teaching things and coaching things.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) February 7, 2023
#Titans Mike Vrabel on what made him want Charles London:
I really enjoyed the interview. And going down to the Senior Bowl, watching his demeanor and presence with the players down there, he was someone that I really wanted to be on our staff.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) February 7, 2023
On implementing new schemes, ideas on offense
Mike Vrabel: The spring will be a great time to experiment with some of these other schemes and ideas. Every team has to have an identity. In my meetings with Tim, I'm confident we'll continue to do the things we do well and add ideas that Charles London and others have.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) February 7, 2023
On Lori Locust as defensive quality control coach
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel: Defensive Quality Control coach Lori Locust will help Ryan Crow with the outside linebackers. Really enjoyed talking with her at the Senior Bowl and she has great knowledge of the game
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) February 7, 2023
On promoting from within
Mike Vrabel on promoting his coordinators internally: I think we hire good people
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) February 7, 2023
On changes he'd like to see to the offense
Vrabel on how much the Titans’ offense needs to change? He wants to be efficient throwing the ball, which they weren’t. Must take care of the ball and limit turnovers. Wants to mix tempo and play with different groups, being creative with who they have. Wants speed, versatility.
— Teresa Walker (@TeresaMWalker) February 7, 2023
On coaches changing roles
On moving Tony Dews, Pat O'Hara and Luke Steckel to different roles: It's a chance for them to have growth opportunities and help the football team.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) February 7, 2023
On what this means for Ryan Tannehill
Vrabel on what this OC hire means for Ryan Tannehill: "I don’t think anything. I talked to Ryan, I let him know which direction we were headed. I don’t want to speak for him but he sounded excited."
(adds that he and Ran Carthon continue to evaluate the entire roster)
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) February 7, 2023
On Jason Houghtaling as O-line coach
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel: The interview with Jason Houghtaling, promoted to o-line coach, was one of the best interviews I've conducted in the past five years.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) February 7, 2023
On CBs coach Chris Harris
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel: Excited to add Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks.coach Chris Harris. Love his demeanor and his ability to teach
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) February 7, 2023
