A look at potential coordinators for Titans

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt is in the process of putting together his coaching staff for 2014, and indications are he has strong interest in Jason Michael as his offensive coordinator, and either Ray Horton or Keith Butler as his defensive coordinator.

Michael is a nine-year coaching veteran who has served as tight ends coach the past three seasons with the San Diego Chargers. He’s also spent time with the 49ers, Jets and Raiders in the NFL. Michael played quarterback at Western Kentucky, and was a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee.

With the Chargers, Michael has worked with tight end Antonio Gates, who became San Diego’s all-time leader in receptions and touchdown catches during Michael’s first two seasons in San Diego.

Buccaneers quarterbacks coach John McNulty is also a person of interest for Whisenhunt’s staff.

Horton served as defensive coordinator of the Browns last season, and the team recently gave its assistants permission to speak to other NFL teams. Last season, the Browns switched from a 4-3 system to a 3-4 scheme and finished the regular season with the NFL’s ninth-ranked defense (332.4 yards allowed per game).

Prior to last season, Horton spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Cardinals. He was a secondary coach with the Steelers from 2004-2010 and prior to that worked with the Redskins, Bengals and Lions.

Horton interviewed twice for the Cardinals head coaching vacancy last year before Bruce Arians was hired.

Whisenhunt is also believed to have interest in Butler, but as of Wednesday morning the team had not yet asked for permission to speak to him.

Butler is under contract with the Steelers, so it’s unclear if the team would give the Titans permission to talk to him.

Butler just completed his 11th year as the Steelers’ linebackers coach. Prior to that he spent four seasons (1999-2002) as the linebackers coach of the Cleveland Browns.

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Posted In: League News, Team News

Source: Titans Insider