On Tuesday afternoon, the Tennessee Titans decided to part ways with head coach Mike Vrabel after his six seasons with the team following back-to-back losing seasons. But it sounds like not everyone within the organization necessarily expected the move.
Following reports that Mike Vrabel would not return as the team’s head coach, Tennessee Titans superstar running back Derrick Henry admitted that he was “shocked” that the team decided to part ways with Vrabel, praising what Vrabel has meant to him as a coach and a leader.
“Wow. Wow. I’m shocked,” Henry told senior NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic. “Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He is a great coach and teacher. I know he will get another opportunity right away. I look forward to it.”
Just spoke to Derrick Henry over the phone, "Wow. Wow. I'm shocked. Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He is a great coach and teacher. I know he will get another opportunity right away. I look forward to it."
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 9, 2024
Vrabel found some pretty immediate success after joining the team in 2018, leading the team to winning records in each of his first four seasons in Tennessee. This included three playoff appearances and two division titles. He was also named the league’s Coach of the Year back in 2021.
The team ultimately decided to part ways with Vrabel after the team went just 7-10 last year and finished 6-11 this year. But it’s clear he had a lot of respect from his players.
