Titans name Mike Mularkey head coach

The final NFL head coaching vacancy has been filled.

The Tennessee Titans will remove Mike Mularkey's interim label and make him the team's next head coach on a permanent basis, the team announced.

Mularkey took over after the Titans fired Ken Whisenhunt early in the 2015 season, leading the team to a 2-7 record and a last-place finish.

Retaining Mularkey will allow the Titans to preserve some continuity, which could be a good thing for young quarterback Marcus Mariota.

"The vision Mike presented for our football team during this search as well as the character, integrity, and leadership skills he displayed during the last two months of the season makes him the right coach for the Tennessee Titans," controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. "Mike is a quality coach and an outstanding person who will help us build this team the right way. 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."