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Tennessee Titans coach rumors: 5 top candidates

By Brad Berreman

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 24: Head Coach Mike Mularkey of the Tennessee Titans on the sidelines during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Rams defeated the Titans 27-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 24: Head Coach Mike Mularkey of the Tennessee Titans on the sidelines during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Rams defeated the Titans 27-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Now that Mike Mularkey is officially gone, here are five candidates to be the next head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

The Tennessee Titans saved head coach Mike Mularkey’s job by earning  a playoff spot, then owner Amy Adams Shrunk gave him a tepid vote of confidence after a Wild Card Round win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Even after a 35-14 loss to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round Saturday night, a contract extension was reportedly on the table for Mularkey. But Monday morning brought a shift back the other way, as ESPN’s Field Yates reported the Titans and Mularkey have “mutually agreed to part ways.” That feels like a nice way to avoid saying he was fired, and a late NFL head coaching opening is now on the table.

The Titans have an appealing situation, with a young quarterback and a fairly soft division. Firing Mularkey may have come with a replacement in mind, but here are five candidates to be the next Titans’ head coach.

5. Jim Bob Cooter – Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator

With Jim Caldwell’s firing, and the renewed possibility New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is coming in to replace him as Lions head coach, Cooter could be retained as offensive coordinator to maintain continuity with quarterback Matthew Stafford.

But Cooter’s work with Stafford would make him a nice fit to get the most out of Marcus Mariota, after he regressed this year. Boosting Mariota has to be Tennessee’s top priority going forward, so candidates with an offensive tilt should populate the list of candidates to replace Mularkey. Cooter fits that bill, even without being a particularly big name.