Jeff Fisher, Tennesee Titans Parting Ways After 16 Years

In a move that no one expected, the Tennessee Titans will be looking for a new head coach next season as they’ve announced that Jeff Fisher will not be back for 2011. The nature of the split — whether Fisher was fired, resigned, or the team and Fisher mutually decided to part ways — is not known right now.

Once the season ended, owner Bud Adams was basically forced to choose between quarterback Vince Young or Fisher. The two could not co-exist after having an argument in the locker room after a loss that resulted in Young leaving the facility and Fisher announcing that Young would not start for him for the rest of the season.

Some have speculated that perhaps Adams has changed his mind about picking Fisher over Young, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora are reporting that Young is still going to find his way out of Tennessee.

I’ve always thought Fisher was overrated. In 16 seasons, Fisher was a mediocre 142-140 — just barely over .500 — and only 5-6 iPatn the playoffs. Fisher did get the Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999, but since then has only won two playoff games. If the Titans were smart, they probably would have dumped him years ago.

Fisher is already being linked to the open defensive coordinator position in Philadelphia since he was a coordinator there from 1988-1990 under Buddy Ryan, but there’s almost no chance that happens. Fisher is going to get the $6.5 million he was due to be paid in 2011 and will likely take the year off and try to come back in 2012.

As far as Fisher’s successor, the pickings are going to be very slim. Most of the sought-after assistants and former head coaches have already been snagged up, but there are still a couple candidates. Perry Fewell, another defensive-minded coach, could be an option, as well as Mike Mularkey, Gregg Williams, and Brad Childress.

Titans offensive line coach Mike Munchak and Eric Mangini are also being mentioned.