- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,152,127
- Reaction score
- 59
The Tennessee Titans' firing of Mike Vrabel may be one of the biggest head scratchers we've seen in the NFL in a long time. Since his departure after the 2023 season, the Titans are on their second general manager and are in search of their second head coach.
It's been a struggle to find a solid head coach, and current general manager Mike Borgonzi is likely already perusing potential candidates at other teams.
One of those candidates is Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke, and that's where Titans Wire continues to profile potential head coaches.
After playing safety for Dartmouth, Burke coached at the collegiate level as an assistant coach and graduate assistant for several years. When he joined the NFL, it was for the Tennessee Titans. First, as an administrative assistant, and then as a defense quality control coach until 2008.
In 2009, Burke joined the Detroit Lions as a linebackers coach until 2013. He then spent two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals in the same capacity before joining the Miami Dolphins. With the Dolphins, Burke was first a linebackers coach and then a defensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.
Burks has also been the defensive special assistant and run game coordinator/defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, a game management coach for the New York Jets, and the defensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals. He was hired as defensive coordinator for the Texans in 2023, and the team has posted a winning record in all three seasons he's been there.
A veteran coach with over 20 years of NFL coaching experience, Burke certainly knows the ins and outs of the NFL. He understands team structure, organizational structure, and he understands how to interact with players and coaches alike. He's been in Tennessee before, when he first started his NFL coaching journey, although it was while Bud Adams was still around; the organizational values haven't changed with Amy Adams Strunk running the show.
Burke's biggest problem is that he has literally zero offensive experience, and the Titans must have someone who can develop their young offense. Like many other defensive coordinators, he will need to have a solid plan for developing Cam Ward or have an idea of who he can bring in to assist in that area.
During his time in the NFL, Burke is known as a coach who demands defensive identity and accountability, and someone who can help rebuild a struggling culture around discipline and fundamentals. He would also provide a fresh perspective as someone with NFL experience who doesn't have ties to the current coaching staff. These are things the Titans will consider as they go through the interview process.
Burke brings a ton of experience on the defensive side of the ball, but the stark contrast to his offensive experience could be risky for the Titans to take on. Any kind of defensive coaching hire will have to have an offensive plan, and whoever they bring in as offensive coordinator needs to be ready to handle the bulk of the offensive decisions and play calling.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans head coaching search: Could Matt Burke return?
Continue reading...
It's been a struggle to find a solid head coach, and current general manager Mike Borgonzi is likely already perusing potential candidates at other teams.
One of those candidates is Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke, and that's where Titans Wire continues to profile potential head coaches.
Matt Burke, Defensive Coordinator, Houston Texans
After playing safety for Dartmouth, Burke coached at the collegiate level as an assistant coach and graduate assistant for several years. When he joined the NFL, it was for the Tennessee Titans. First, as an administrative assistant, and then as a defense quality control coach until 2008.
In 2009, Burke joined the Detroit Lions as a linebackers coach until 2013. He then spent two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals in the same capacity before joining the Miami Dolphins. With the Dolphins, Burke was first a linebackers coach and then a defensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.
Burks has also been the defensive special assistant and run game coordinator/defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, a game management coach for the New York Jets, and the defensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals. He was hired as defensive coordinator for the Texans in 2023, and the team has posted a winning record in all three seasons he's been there.
Potential fit
A veteran coach with over 20 years of NFL coaching experience, Burke certainly knows the ins and outs of the NFL. He understands team structure, organizational structure, and he understands how to interact with players and coaches alike. He's been in Tennessee before, when he first started his NFL coaching journey, although it was while Bud Adams was still around; the organizational values haven't changed with Amy Adams Strunk running the show.
Burke's biggest problem is that he has literally zero offensive experience, and the Titans must have someone who can develop their young offense. Like many other defensive coordinators, he will need to have a solid plan for developing Cam Ward or have an idea of who he can bring in to assist in that area.
During his time in the NFL, Burke is known as a coach who demands defensive identity and accountability, and someone who can help rebuild a struggling culture around discipline and fundamentals. He would also provide a fresh perspective as someone with NFL experience who doesn't have ties to the current coaching staff. These are things the Titans will consider as they go through the interview process.
Burke brings a ton of experience on the defensive side of the ball, but the stark contrast to his offensive experience could be risky for the Titans to take on. Any kind of defensive coaching hire will have to have an offensive plan, and whoever they bring in as offensive coordinator needs to be ready to handle the bulk of the offensive decisions and play calling.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans head coaching search: Could Matt Burke return?
Continue reading...
