Titans’ Mike Vrabel talks promotions of Downing to OC, Bowen to DC
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel shared his thoughts on the decision to promote tight ends coach Todd Downing to offensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen to defensive coordinator.
The much-embattled Bowen served as the team’s de facto defensive coordinator in 2020 without the title and oversaw a putrid defense.
Several factors played into that, including injuries, lackluster performances from key players and personnel changes, but Bowen was certainly one of the issues as the defense did a poor job of adjusting in-game.
However, Vrabel has apparently doubled-down on Bowen as his guy.
“Shane will move into the dedicated role of coordinator, with Ryan taking over the outside linebackers this year, and I am looking forward to him growing in that role,” Vrabel said. “We are going to work hard to improve that side of the ball through better coaching, improving our system and our players. I like the group we have on the defensive staff and I am confident that we will improve.”
As far as Downing is concerned, Vrabel expects the now-former tight ends coach to perhaps bring some new ideas into the fold, but expects Tennessee’s current offensive system to pretty much remain the same.
“Todd did a great job with the tight ends over the last two years and had important role in the game-planning process each week,” Vrabel said. “I was impressed with the details of his teaching and the production from his group and the offense in general. I am sure he will have some new ideas to implement, but the core system will be in place to build upon, which I think is important.”
While the promotion of Downing won’t rock the boat of Titans fans all that much, the one for Bowen certainly will after what we saw from the team’s defense in 2020.
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