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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: Don Feria/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Don Feria/Getty Images /

2. Jack Del Rio – Former Raiders Head Coach

After appearing to be on the cusp of challenging the New England Patriots for supremacy in the AFC last year, at least before Derek Carr’s late-season injury and Connor Cook had to start a playoff game, the Raiders regressed to 6-10 this year and Del Rio was fired. Of course the ability for owner Mark Davis to finally get Jon Gruden back to Oakland (and eventually to Las Vegas) played a huge role in that move, and it can be argued Del Rio deserved better despite a losing record in two of three seasons as Raiders coach.

Del Rio’s background is on the defensive side of the ball, as a former defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers (2002) and Denver Broncos (2012-2014) surrounding his long stint as Jacksonville Jaguars head coach (2003-2011). That makes him an outlier on this list, and who he would want to hire as offensive assistants (coordinator and quarterbacks coach in particular) would be of interest to the Titans.

Del Rio is below .500 (93-94) as a head coach, but that does not necessarily mean he won’t get another opportunity. The Titans surely have some bigger names with a different acumen in mind to replace Mularkey, but I consider Del Rio an under-the-radar candidate for the job.