New Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel knows there are going to be a lot of eyes on him next season. While he was highly regarded for his work in Houston, the fact is, he has not been a coach in the NFL for very long. So, to help ease the transition into his new job, he hired a familiar face to be his defensive coordinator.
According to Michael Schwab of the Tennessean, the Titans have hired Dean Pees to be the next defensive coordinator. Pees, who is 68, held the same position for the Baltimore Ravens this year but decided to retire at the conclusion of the Ravens season after six years and 45 years in the NFL. At the time, he said he wanted to spend more time with family.
Dean Pees also served as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots from 2006-2009. Prior to getting the promotion, he had been the linebackers coach from 2004-05. During his time in New England, the Patriots' defense was the only one in the NFL to finish in the top ten in points/allowed for four consecutive seasons.
Vrabel played for him from 2006-08 before finishing his career in Kansas City.
According to Ian Rapport, Pees has hired his son, a high school coach, as an assistant.
Tennessee’s defense was not bad last season (22.3 points/game; 17th in the league). But Baltimore’s was a lot better (18.9 points/game; sixth). With Pees in charge, the Ravens' defense finished in the top ten in three of the last six seasons.
The last time the Titans had a top ten defense was in 2009 (fifth in yards/allowed).
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