NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees won't admit that this week's game against the Baltimore Ravens is special, but rest assured, it has extra meaning.

Pees joined the Ravens as a linebackers coach in 2010 before taking over as the defensive coordinator in 2012. His eight years in Baltimore yielded a Super Bowl championship and multiple playoff runs.

Pees retired after the 2017 season, which came to an end when a 90-yard drive by the Cincinnati Bengals was capped off by a game-winning, 49-yard touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to Tyler Boyd. The touchdown occurred on fourth-and-12 with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter. Losing that game cost the Ravens a playoff appearance.

Although things ended on a sour note in Baltimore, Ravens coach John Harbaugh has tons of respect for his former defensive coordinator.

"Dean means a lot to me personally. He did a good job here. He put a lot of good defenses together here in Baltimore," Harbaugh said. "I hope fans understand that and believe that. We got a lot of respect for Dean. [The Titans' defense is] playing very well, and they're one of the top defenses in football right now, which is a trademark for Dean's defenses. So it's not a surprise."

Pees announced his retirement on Jan. 1 and became Tennessee's coordinator on Jan. 28. New Titans coach Mike Vrabel knew Pees was the man he wanted to run the defense.

"Dean coached me and a lot of the guys I played with in New England before he went on to Baltimore," Vrabel said. "To continue to want to do that to help us, I appreciate it. I am glad he's here. I knew he'd be loyal to what we're trying to do. There weren't going to be any agendas. He wasn't going to try and do anything to help just him. He's a good veteran presence to lean on. That experience helps."

Going to Tennessee was an easy decision for Pees. He loved working for Harbaugh, whom he coached as a defensive back at Miami (Ohio), and he jumped at the chance to work with Vrabel.

"At some point in time, when I conclude my career, it will be a unique opportunity that I was given to have worked for two guys that were great players for me," Pees said. "I know them so well."

Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard was excited when he found out Pees was coming because he had coached great defensive players such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs. Woodyard's excitement intensified once he saw how Pees' experience translates to preparation for his players.

"He knows a lot about this game and can break down different plays," Woodyard said. "He brings different views that you might not see as a player. He's seen a lot of football.

"It's crazy. He sits here in meetings every week, like when we were going against the Philadelphia Eagles. He said if he was the Eagles, he'd take at least five shots. Then on game day, Philadelphia did exactly that, they took shots down the field. [Pees] sees and knows things that are going to be coming. He knows how offensive coordinators are going to attack his players and his scheme. This scheme is going to make me a better player."

Vrabel complimented Pees for his "immaculate tip sheets" that had the defensive calls and details laid out for the players every week. Within those tip sheets was a note that said he'd give $100 to the first person who came to Pees and showed it. Vrabel said he would often be the one who cashed in because of his attention to detail when going over the tip sheets.

"I'd always nail him because I was oversensitive about making sure I knew what to do," Vrabel said. "I'd come to him and say, 'Hey Dean, I get $100.' He'd always get pissed off. I know he's done that with our guys a couple of times. He's put it in there in the tip sheet."

The Titans, who rank seventh in total defense (333.2 yards per game) and are tied with Jacksonville for third in points allowed (17.2 per game), have added some familiar faces for Pees to work with. It's no coincidence that veteran safety Kendrick Lewis ended up in Tennessee after not playing in 2017. Lewis was a starter for Pees with the Ravens in 2015.

"I've been in this league a long time and played in his defense for three years," Lewis said. "I love his scheme. It's a part of the reason why I am here."

Titans general manager Jon Robinson also traded for Kamalei Correa, a former Ravens linebacker. In Baltimore, Pees was part of the decision to use Correa as an inside linebacker. The move didn't work out, but now Correa is reunited with Pees and playing his more suitable role as an edge defender.

Correa likes how Pees teaches the defense because the coach he refers to as the "old man" makes sure the players understand the reason they're asked to carry out an assignment.

"He tells us where we need to be and why we need to be there," Correa said. "There's always a 'why.' It's always, 'Ok, we are doing this because ...' He's a smart coach that has been around the league for 46 years. He's the old man -- that's what I call him for fun. His knowledge of the game, his experience level and what he knows about offenses and stuff. ... He's not going to leave any stone unturned."

One thing Pees didn't need much preparation for was his transition to Nashville, which has been smooth.

"When you go to a grocery store, people are so doggone courteous," he said. "There really is something to Southern hospitality. I've been twice to the grocery store and heard people talk about their Christian faith. Driving down the road, you see 27 churches in a row. I know it's the Bible belt, but I like that. That to me is old school and what this country is founded on. It's such a warm feeling."

That warm feeling will extend to Sunday's reunion with the Ravens -- at least before the game. Pees and Harbaugh are close friends, but after the kickoff, they will turn into fierce competitors.

"It will be special before the game," Harbaugh said. "Once the game starts, we'll be trying to choke each other out."

-- ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley contributed to this story.