The Tennessee Titans have hired Buccaneers' director of player personnel Jon Robinson as their new general manager, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Robinson, a Tennessee native, has spent the past two seasons in Tampa Bay after 12 years in New England.
Titans hire GM Jon Robinson as search for head coach ramps up
Robinson, who previously worked for the Patriots and Bucs, could bring Josh McDaniels on board.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson's first task will be deciding on a head coach. He spent several seasons on the same New England staff as current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who reportedly is interested in the Titans' open head coaching job.
The Titans are also considering their current interim head coach, Mike Mularkey, who took over for the fired Ken Whisenhunt in November. They're planning on interviewing him on Friday, according to the Tennessean, which also reports that the Titans will interview Jaguars assistant head coach Doug Marrone and Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as well.
According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, Robinson’s willingness to keep Mularkey factored into the Titans’ decision to hire him.
Chip Kelly was interested in bringing Robinson to Philadelphia last season, but an interview request was declined by the Bucs, according to Pro Football Talk. Kelly is now a free agent and could be interested in reuniting with quarterback Marcus Mariota, who played for him at Oregon.
That said, it’s unclear how much say Robinson will have in the Titan’s search for a head coach. According to the Tennessean, the Titans will have a four-person interview committee which will included owner Amy Adams Strunk, co-owner Kenneth Adams IV, president and CEO Steve Underwood and Vin Marino, the team’s vice president of football administration.
Robinson will replace Ruston Webster, who was fired in January after four years with the Titans. He'll take over a Titans team that finished the season 3-13, tied for the worst record in the NFL, and has gone 5-27 over the past two years. The Titans, however, own the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft and also have last year's No. 2 pick, Mariota, on the roster.
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