There’s a new job opening in Tennessee after the Titans and Mike Mularkey mutually agreed to go their own ways. With the head coaching job now vacant, the Titans are expected to explore their options in finding Mularkey’s successor, and among those to get an early request for an interview is Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, according to several sources, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.

According to multiple reports, the Titans have requested permission to interview Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel. Vrabel has been a popular name in this cycle of the coaching carousel as he’s interviewed with the Colts and the Lions, but isn’t the frontrunner for either job or he’d likely have been hired by now.

Vrabel was hired by the Texans as their linebackers coach in 2014 before earning a promotion to defensive coordinator two years later. His first season as the Texans’ defensive coordinator did not go well, though, as the Texans finished this season last in points allowed and 20th in total defense. However, the Texans’ defense lost studs in J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus early in the season due to injuries.

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The Titans have also requested an interview with current Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, but the consensus so far is that Tennessee has their focus trained on wooing New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

It makes sense for Tennessee to hire someone with a background in offense if the Titans want to capitalize on the talents of dual-threat running back Marcus Mariota, but Vrabel, of course, could still impress Tennessee during the interview.