I just read an interesting article. It profiled Titans head coach Mike Munchak, and his quest to teach his current team the importance of embracing the Houston Oilers past and tradition. Owner Bud Adams brought the Oilers to Tennessee in 1997, before finally settling into their Nashville home in 1999.
Munchak has renovated the training facility to pay homage to the to the past great Oilers and Titans. He is passionate about the importance of embracing tradition. I'm all for that from a nostalgia standpoint...but the next quote troubled me.
“I want guys to know, and feel, like they are a part of something,”
Munchak said. “I don’t want anyone to think they will be forgotten, and
the men who paved the way shouldn’t be forgotten. Time as a football
player, it’s short-lived. These decades are flying by.
Munchak continued with....
“We’ve been here as the Titans (since 1999), and we’ve already seen a lot of
guys come and go. This place is special, so just don’t take things for
granted, because it goes by fast.”
Is it just me? Or does Munchak sound like he has a lifetime contract? Um...Mike..sir? If no one has told you...your behind is planted firmly on the hot seat...and you have this season to get it done. This season only. If the Titans stumble again this year, then Munchak will be the next forgotten Titan.
With all due respect to Warren Moon and Earl Campbell, they ain't saving your job this year.
But I digress.
Again...while I do not object to remembering the past...the Titans seem to be married to it. And unless you're a History professor...that is not a recipe for success.
Case in point.
Jeff Fisher was hired from within to replace his predecessor as head coach in 1994. Umpteen years later, Mike Munchak, Titans offensive line coach, was hired to replace Fisher. So when it came to hiring his staff...what did Munchak do?
Yep. Hire from within.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that...if you're winning Super Bowls. But if you're not...like Tennessee...then maybe the tried and true way should be scrapped for an outside the box thinker. Or in the Titans case...and outside the organization thinker.
I hope Munchak succeeds, that means the Titans succeeded. But if he doesn't, it may be time for an overhaul. Brilliant new coaching minds on both sides of the ball are popping up everywhere now.
Credit Tennessee for finally stepping up and spending some money this off season to bring in some much needed talent. But don't stop there...don't start looking back now.
There's no championships back there.
Titans beat writer Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean contributed to this blog. follow @plcolter
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