NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Most of the Tennessee Titans' coaching staff is in place and it’s time for a bit of a review of what Mike Mularkey has put together.
ANNOUNCED HIRES
Offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie: A quality teacher who was an excellent position coach overseeing wide receivers in Atlanta. He has not called plays since 2004 in Cleveland. Robiskie worked with Mularkey in both Miami and Atlanta.
Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau: The Hall of Fame defensive back returns for a second season overseeing the Titans' defense. His 3-4 front made some good progress in 2015, but really dropped off after losing outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (shoulder) and without cornerback Jason McCourty (sports hernia). LeBeau was in charge of the defense in 2015 as assistant head coach/ defense. Ray Horton, who was defensive coordinator under him moved on to Cleveland.
Special teams coordinator Bobby April: Coming off a tough season with the Jets, April has had some very solid success during a long career. Mularkey pledged a scheme shift on special teams.
Offensive line coach Russ Grimm: Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of "The Hogs," Grimm has coached with Washington, Pittsburgh and Arizona. He was with Ken Whisenhunt for all six years of his head coaching term with the Cardinals, and was out of the league for the three years since.
Quarterbacks coach Jason Michael: He called the plays once Mularkey was promoted. Now he’s demoted from offensive coordinator to quarterbacks coach and being touted as helping maintain continuity for Marcus Mariota. Mulrkey said at his introductory news conference that Michael was staying in this role.
Secondary coach Deshea Townsend: He came into the league as an assistant for former coordinator Ray Horton, as assistant defensive backs coach for the Cardinals in 2011-12. He played 13 seasons in the NFL, the first 12 for the Steelers. He has been at Mississippi State for the past three seasons.
Assistant secondary coach Steve Jackson: An accountable cornerback who played on the Titans' 1999 Super Bowl team, then coached in Buffalo, Washington and Detroit.
REPORTED HIRES
Tight ends coach Arthur Smith: Smith was Mularkey’s assistant with the tight ends and was promoted when Mularkey got the interim job on Nov. 3. He’s also done some work with the offensive line during his five seasons with the team. (Reported by me.)
Linebackers coach Lou Spanos: He’s gotten pretty solid work out of his group in the past two seasons with the Titans. On a team where few young players have blossomed, 2014 fifth-rounder Avery Williamson has really turned into a force. (Reported by Alex Marvez of Fox Sports.)
Defensive line coach Nick Eason: He apparently had the choice to stay and graduate from assisting Giff Smith, who went to San Diego, to coaching the defensive line, or go with Horton to the Browns. An up-and-comer who is entering his fourth season as an NFL coach after a 10-season playing career. (Marvez.)
Assistant special teams coach Steve Hoffman: He works extensively with the specialists and is in line to remain the guy for kicker Ryan Succop, punter/holder Brett Kern and long snapper Beau Brinkley. (Marvez.)
Assistant offensive line Mike Sullivan: He’s coached 13 seasons in the league, including two stints as offensive line coach in Cleveland and a term in the same post in San Diego. (Marvez.)
UNKNOWN
Wide receivers: Former receivers coach Shawn Jefferson is now with Miami. We don’t know the fate of his assistant, Jason Tucker.
Running backs: Sylvester Croom is the incumbent, but there have been no reports about his future.
Strength and conditioning coach: We’ve not heard anything rumored or official. But Steve Watterson, who predates the team’s relocation from Houston to Tennessee, is highly regarded in the business and his expertise extends to nutrition and rehabilitation. It would be an upset if he’s not back.