The Titans announced Saturday they are keeping Mularkey as their coach after he led the team for its final nine games following Ken Whisenhunt’s firing.
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“Mike is a quality coach and an outstanding person who will help us build this team the right way,” team owner and co-chairman Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. “He has experience as a head coach and a track record for developing young quarterbacks and dynamic offenses, and he also brings continuity for our franchise quarterback. We understand this may take time as we rebuild the roster and bring in new coaches for Mike’s staff, but we believe he has the experience and expertise to build a consistent winner.”
Mularkey said in Week 17 the three-win season was a disappointment (he himself went 2-7 as the interim coach), but said in Saturday’s statement he will try “to make this team successful and make our city and fans proud.”
The Titans previously announced they would not renew the contract of general manager Ruston Webster, the team’s GM since 2012. The Titans have gone 18-46 over the last four seasons, with three different head coaches.
Former Eagles coach Chip Kelly, who was hired by the 49ers on Thursday, was presumed Tennessee’s top choice: He would have been reunited with former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Instead, Mularkey will help groom the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner with the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He had an inconsistent rookie season with 2,818 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also missed three games with injuries.
While serving as the Falcons offensive coordinator from 2008-11, Mularkey’s offense produced a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard receiver and a 1,000-yard rusher in the same season in three of his four years with the team. Mularkey, named by Sporting News as the coordinator of the year in 2010, also has the support of the Titans players.
“I think he is an exceptional coach,” guard Chance Warmack said. “He was put in a tough situation, and he made the most of it. I am pretty sure if he had a full season to do what he wanted to do, he would be real successful. He brings good energy to the team.”
