Fourth-year
HC led Tennessee to 12-5 record, third No. 1 seed in franchise history
January 28, 2022
It could be argued that
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel did more than any other coach in the
NFL with less this season.
The Professional Football Writers of America presumably agreed, naming
Vrabel the NFL Coach of the Year on Thursday. It’s the first Coach of the Year
honor for Vrabel and just the second in franchise history. Sid Gilman was the
other in 1974 for the then-Houston Oilers.
Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski won the
award last season.
Vrabel led the Titans to a 12-5 record in 2021 and the third No. 1 seed
in franchise history despite losing Derrick Henry for nine games, A.J. Brown
for three games, Julio Jones for seven games, and a combined nine games missed
by starting offensive linemen.
Tennessee was tied for the
third-best win percentage (.706) in the NFL and tied for the best home record
in the AFC (7-2). The
Titans also won the AFC South for the second straight year and made the
playoffs for the third straight year while using 91 players, an NFL record for
a non-strike season.
It’s the first time the Titans have ever won consecutive division
titles, and just the second time in franchise history. The Oilers won
three straight division titles from 1960-1962.
Vrabel has a 43-27 career record in four years with the Titans,
including the playoffs, and he tied Jack Pardee’s franchise record for most
wins through his first four years. Vrabel’s resume also includes two division
titles and an AFC Championship appearance.
The Associated Press will name the
official NFL Coach of the Year on Feb. 10 at the NFL Honors.
Follow
Michael Gallagher on Twitter @MGsports_