Report: Tension between Vrabel, Titans owner helped lead to coach's firing
Friction between Mike Vrabel and Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk played a part in the ex-Tennessee coach's surprise firing Tuesday, sources told Dianna Russini and Joe Rexrode of The Athletic.
Two of the most notable disagreements between the two came during the Titans' general manager hiring process last offseason. First, Vrabel told Strunk he'd earned the right to have full personnel control over the roster, Russini and Rexrode report. Strunk disagreed, apparently pointing to the end of Jeff Fisher's Tennessee tenure as just one example for why she didn't want to grant Vrabel's wish.
Then, as the Titans were close to hiring Ran Carthon as the club's new general manager, Vrabel reportedly proposed making the former San Francisco 49ers executive the assistant GM because he believed Carthon wasn't ready for the No. 1 job. Strunk wasn't pleased with the suggestion, and her relationship with Vrabel took a hit as a result, Russini and Rexrode note.
Things reportedly worsened between the two after Vrabel's speech for his induction into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame during the Titans' bye week, where he said, "This is a special place with great leadership, great fans, great direction, and great coaching. Enjoy it. It's not like this everywhere."
Strunk was apparently upset with the entire event but never talked about it with Vrabel and allowed it to fester.
However, the Titans still planned to keep Vrabel as of November because Strunk strongly believed in the coach at the time, per Russini and Rexrode. Her belief that this faith wasn't being reciprocated by Vrabel, as well as worsening communication between the two, reportedly led Strunk to eventually change her mind.
These incidents occurred after the Titans reportedly considered a fresh start after last season by moving on from Vrabel. Yet Strunk believed he was worth keeping due to his coaching abilities, Russini and Rexrode add.
Vrabel spent six seasons as Tennessee's head coach. He finished his tenure with a 54-45 record, including an AFC Championship berth in 2019.