Falcons interview former Titans coach Mike Vrabel for head-coach vacancy
FLOWERY BRANCH -- Former Titans coach Mike Vrabel interviewed in person with the Falcons for their head-coach vacancy on Wednesday, according to the team.
Vrabel, who is good friends with former Falcons coach Arthur Smith, went 54-45 in his six seasons as Tennessee’s head coach. The Titans reached the AFC championship game in 2019, but were eliminated in the playoffs in 2020 in the wild-card round and in 2021 in the divisional round.
The Titans finished 7-10 in 2022 and 6-11 in 2023.
Vrabel, 48, was an assistant coach in Houston (2014-2017), spending three years as the linebackers coach and one year as the defensive coordinator.
Vrabel is the 14th candidate interviewed by the Falcons.
Here is the current timeline of interviews — virtual and in person — conducted by the Falcons in their search for a new head coach:
Jan. 8 – Arthur Smith is fired after three consecutive 7-10 seasons, one day following a season-ending loss to the Saints.
Jan. 12 – Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald completes virtual interview.
Jan. 13 - Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks complete virtual interviews.
Jan. 14 - Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver complete virtual interviews.
Jan. 15 - Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick completes in-person interview.
Jan. 16 - University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh completes in-person interview.
Jan. 18 - Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson completes virtual interview.
Jan. 19 - Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn completes virtual interview and Belichick completes second in-person interview.
Jan. 20 - Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Bills interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady complete virtual interviews.
Jan. 21 - Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson complete virtual interviews.
Jan. 22 - Callahan, who had a second interview with the Falcons scheduled for Jan. 25, accepts head coach position with Titans.
Jan. 23 -- Morris has in-person interview, his second with the team.
Jan. 24 -- Evero has in-person interview, his second with the team. Also, the interview put the team in compliance with the NFL’s Rooney Rule. Former Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel interviewed with the team.
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Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
