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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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Mandatory Credit: Jorge Lemus-Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Jorge Lemus-Getty Images /

4.  Pat Shurmur – Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator

Shurmur has been tabbed as the favorite to become the Arizona Cardinals next head coach, and  he’s firmly in the mix for the New York Giants’ job too. But the Vikings going to the NFC Championship Game will keep his options open, officially or otherwise, and the Titans could easily throw their hat in the ring now.

Over essentially a season and a half as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, Shurmur has helped coax productive seasons out of quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Case Keenum. Minnesota’s offense has been equal parts creative and balanced over that time, with no one player as the focal point for an opposing defense to key on.

If not for the head start the Cardinals and Giants have had in their searches for a new head coach, with interviews at least mostly already done, Shurmur would be higher on this list of candidates for the Titans. But they must have some immediate interest, with Shurmur’s own acumen and Mariota’s physical tools inviting a major shift from Mularkey’s dull “exotic smashmouth” offense.