Titans promote Downing to OC, Bowen to DC

The Tennessee Titans promoted tight ends coach Todd Downing to offensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen to defensive coordinator, the team announced Friday.

Downing will replace former coordinator Arthur Smith, while Bowen handled defensive play-calling duties for the Titans last campaign.

Head coach Mike Vrabel interviewed a few external candidates for each job but was impressed by his internal staff. The Titans reportedly also considered former Los Angeles Chargers quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton and Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Terryl Austin.

"I spent the last two weeks evaluating our current staff and talking with others outside our organization. I am excited for all of these guys taking the next step with us," Vrabel said.

Downing has been with the Titans since 2019 and has experience as an offensive coordinator, previously serving in that role with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2017.

"Todd did a great job with the tight ends over the last two years and had an important role in the game-planning process each week. I was impressed with the details of his teaching and the production from his group and the offense in general," Vrabel added.

Bowen was the team's outside linebackers coach for the last three seasons and will now handle full-time coordinator duties.

The Titans' defense finished 28th in yardage last season but recorded 23 takeaways, seventh-most in the NFL.

Tennessee finished 11-5 last year and has made the postseason in each of the last two campaigns.