The top head-coaching candidates for the Tennessee Titans

After four winning seasons, three playoff appearances, two division titles and an AFC Championship game appearance, Mike Vrabel is out as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk disclosed in a statement that she decided to fire Vrabel Tuesday morning after coming to the conclusion the Titans would benefit from a “fresh approach and perspective of a new coaching staff.”

With general manager Ran Carthon leading the search for Vrabel’s successor, here are five candidates the Titans could consider:

Jim Harbaugh, head coach, Michigan Wolverines

If Adams Strunk is resolute in her “unapologetically high expectations” to “regularly compete for championships,” then bringing in a proven winner like Harbaugh may be the best path toward that goal.

Harbaugh had a 44-19-1 record as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, taking team that went 6-10 the year before his arrival and leading them to a 13-3 record in his first year. 

In four seasons, Harbaugh led the 49ers to three NFC Championship games, two division titles and a Super Bowl appearance. He has an 86-25 record over the last nine seasons at Michigan with one national title. Harbaugh wins everywhere he goes.

Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator, Houston Texans

Of the list of candidates the Titans have in front of them, Slowik has a leg up on almost all of them given his past relationship with Carthon during their time together in San Francisco. 

Praised for the work he did developing C.J. Stroud into one of the top passers in the league as a rookie, the Titans could pluck Slowik away from their division rival in hopes he can do the same for Levis.

Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions, becoming just the fifth rookie passer in NFL history to top the 4,000-yard mark. Houston’s offense also improved from 31st in both total yards and points per game last season to 13th in both categories this year. 

At 36, he could be the perfect up-and-coming coach to lead the Titans into their rebuild.

Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator, Detroit Lions

If the Titans No. 1 priority is putting quarterback Will Levis in a position to succeed — and it should be — then Johnson may be best suited for the job. He helped revive the career of Jared Goff, who’s thrown for 9,013 yards, 59 touchdowns and 19 interceptions with a passer rating of 98.6 over the last two seasons. 

Only one QB has thrown for more yards (Patrick Mahomes) and just two (Mahomes and Josh Allen) have thrown more touchdowns over that span.

Beyond turning Goff into a Pro Bowl QB again, Johnson also turned the Lions offense around in a hurry. In his first season as Detroit’s OC, the team improved from 19.1 points per game to 26.6, and from 322.6 yards of total offense per game to 380. 

Detroit hasn’t ranked below fourth in total offense or fifth in scoring offense in any season under Johnson, who would do wonders in building an innovative offense around Levis.

Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator, Baltimore Ravens

Perceived as arguably the top defensive-minded candidate int his year’s head coaching cycle, the Ravens haven’t finished outside of the top three in points allowed per game or the top 10 in yards allowed per game in either of Macdonald’s seasons as the team’s DC. 

Tennessee was a middle-of-the-road defense that allowed 21.6 points per game this year, and it’s clear some overhauling is needed on that side of the ball.

Fortunately for the Titans, Jeffery Simmons is locked up for a few years, but outside of Harold Landry, Tennessee doesn’t have much to be excited about defensively. The team could benefit from bringing in a sharp, proven defensive mind to help rebuild the unit from the ground up.

Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator, Washington Commanders

Much of what was said for Johnson applies to Bieniemy as well. Working with a severely depleted offense in Washington, Bieniemy still managed to get 3,946 passing yards and 21 touchdowns out of Sam Howell and 79 catches and 1,002 yards from Terry McLaurin.

Mahomes threw for more yards (23,957) and touchdowns (195) than anyone, and the Chiefs scored more points per game (30.1) than any other team in the five seasons Bieniemy was Kansas City’s offensive coordinator. 

Bieniemy has two Super Bowl rings and mentored arguably the best quarterback in the NFL right now, imagine what he could do for Levis’ development.