Potential OC options Titans could consider to replace Arthur Smith
The Tennessee Titans will be in the market for their third offensive coordinator since 2018 after Arthur Smith was hired by the Atlanta Falcons to become their next head coach on Friday.
Despite not having a long history of offensive success, the Titans keep getting their offensive coordinators poached. First it was Matt LaFleur in 2019 when he was hired by the Green Bay Packers, and now Smith.
And so the process begins all over again.
The Titans will certainly do their due diligence and look outside the organization, but we know head coach Mike Vrabel likes familiarity, so don’t be surprised if the new offensive coordinator comes from within.
Whoever the Titans hire will have big shoes to fill after Smith led the Titans to an elite offense in 2020. Furthermore, Tennessee has to get it right, as the offense is the heart and soul of this team.
Seeing as how Vrabel likes his guys, we’ve listed some possibilities for the Titans to consider on their current coaching staff, as well as a few options from outside the team.
Options from within
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
As we know, Vrabel likes to promote from within and stick with coaches who he is familiar with. That means several offensive coaching could be up for the job to replace Smith. Here's a look at some possibilities:
OL coach Keith Carter
TEs coach Todd Downing
RBs coach Tony Dews
WRs coach Rob Moore
QBs coach Pat O'Hara
It wouldn't be shocking to see any of these coaches get the job, as all have had at least a modicum of success in Nashville and are very familiar with the offense Smith has run the past two seasons. Carter: Titans' offensive line went from 56 sacks allowed in 2019 to 25 in 2020 despite its star left tackle missing 11 games. We also saw Nate Davis take a big step forward and UDFA Aaron Brewer looks like a future starter. Moore: A.J. Brown has emerged as an elite receiver in just two seasons, and Corey Davis just had a career year. Dews: It doesn't hurt that he was the coach for a monster and superstar back like Derrick Henry, who has won back-to-back rushing titles. He would certainly continue the Titans' current offensive philosophy. O'Hara: Ryan Tannehill had a career resurgence after taking over starting duties in Week 7 of 2019. Downing: The Titans regularly get contributions from their tight ends, both in the passing game and when blocking. The position has been one of strength and depth for Tennessee in recent years.
49ers Run Game coordinator Mike McDaniel
(AP Photo)
McDaniel has emerged as a potential offensive coordinator candidate this offseason, as the 37-year-old has played an important role in the success and creativity of the San Francisco 49ers' run game. A report suggests that McDaniel could be promoted to the Niners' offensive coordinator position with Mike LaFleur reportedly set to be new New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh's offensive coordinator. However, McDaniel won't get play-calling duties in San Francisco if he gets the job, as that goes to head coach Kyle Shanahan. That could lead to him looking elsewhere for a coordinator job that has more responsibilities. He'd be a perfect fit in Tennessee, as the Titans are a run-first team that would benefit from McDaniel's approach, and the team can offer him what the 49ers can't: play-calling duties.
Former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn
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If the Titans want to go with more experience, former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn would be a good option. Lynn served as the Chargers' head coach for the past four seasons, but before that he held jobs as a running backs coach, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. As a former running back and running backs coach, Lynn puts an emphasis on the ground game, which is the engine of the Titans' offense. As the Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator in 2016, Lynn oversaw an offense that led the NFL in rushing. When he initially took the job in Buffalo, Lynn spelled out his philosophy, which sounds right up Tennessee's alley. "I want to play smart, physical football. I want to be explosive down the field," Lynn said. Of course, the Titans take care of the football and lead with a physical back like Henry, but also like to take shots downfield using the play-action game. After it initially looked like he would sit out the 2021 campaign, Lynn is now reportedly interested in taking an offensive coordinator job this year. https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/1350263239976873986
Former Eagles HC Doug Pederson
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Pederson has seen his stock go in the toilet just three seasons removed from a Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles. After a dumpster fire of a campaign in 2020, the Eagles parted ways with him, and his best bet for a coaching job in 2021 will be as an offensive coordinator. While things didn't end well for Pederson in Philly, there will certainly be interest in him. Pederson is a disciple of Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and served as the Reid's offensive coordinator for three seasons. However, he didn't start calling plays in the NFL until taking over as the Eagles' head coach in 2016. His best season came in 2017, the same year Philadelphia went to the Super Bowl. Pederson's offense ranked third in points and rushing yards, seventh in total yards and 13th in passing yards that season. During his five years in Philadelphia, Pederson's offenses have finished 12th or better in points scored twice (No. 3 in 2017), 14th or better in total yards three times (No. 7 in 2017), 13th or better in passing three times (No. 7 in 2018) and 11th or better in rushing four times (No. 3 in 2017, No. 9 in 2020). Clearly Pederson likes to run the football, and that falls in line with what the Titans want to do.
Chargers QBs coach Pep Hamilton
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It remains to be seen if Hamilton has a future in Los Angeles after the firing of Anthony Lynn, but he certainly deserves a chance to be an offensive coordinator somewhere, whether it's in L.A. or elsewhere. Hamilton played a role in the development of quarterback Justin Herbert, who took the league by storm in his rookie campaign. That in and of itself has made him a hot name this offseason. Hamilton also has experience as an offensive coordinator after spending two-plus seasons as the Indianapolis Colts'. The Colts finished sixth in scoring in 2014 with him at the helm.
