Is Former Titans Coach Mike Vrabel also Missing Out on Coordinator Jobs?

Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who went 0-for-7 during the hiring cycle for NFL head coaching jobs, reportedly was interested in the defensive coordinator vacancy with the Dallas Cowboys but hasn't gotten an interview.

NASHVILLE — Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel has been shut out of seven NFL head coaching jobs and, according to another report, his "intimidating" physical presence could be part of the problem. Now, he apparently can't get an interview for the defensive coordinator vacancy with the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys.

An AtoZSports.com report says that Vrabel was interested in the opportunity to replace Dan Quinn with the Cowboys. But Vrabel reportedly is not in the running. 

One theory is that Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, entering the last year of his contract, doesn't want his potential replacement (Vrabel) on his staff.

"Vrabel and Wink Martindale both wanted a chance to talk, but they're not getting it," AtoZ Host Will Steele said. "I don't know where that final decision is coming from. But you just wonder, head coach on a one-year, prove-it deal, get a guy here like Mike Vrabel, former head coach, he seems a bit more likely to be a head coach type than Ron Rivera." 

The Titans fired Vrabel in January after consecutive losing seasons. In six years as coach, Vrabel's teams reached the playoffs three times, including the 2019 AFC championship game. The former NFL Coach of the Year was considered a favorite to get one of the other seven coaching openings.

On Monday, the news took a turn toward bizarre.

An anonymous general manager, speaking to the Athletic at the Senior Bowl, suggested that Vrabel's physical presence could intimidate some teams, potentially making it difficult for him to find a new job.

At 6 feet 4 and 260 pounds, Vrabel is hardly exceptional in a work environment full of large men. 

But as Dianna Russini reported on The Athletic Football Show: "I had a GM at the Senior Bowl who mentioned to me Vrabel's physical build. That he's a very large human being and can be very intimidating to people in an organization that are going to be part of these decisions. And that is a factor."

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