The Titans beat writers have been reporting that Chuck Cecil will probably get the defensive coordinator job, which was formerly held by Jim Schwartz. Dave McGinnis is the only other plausible candidate.
There would be some precedent for Jeff Fisher to select Cecil, who has never been a coordinator before. Fisher’s last two defensive coordinators, Gregg Williams and Jim Schwartz, didn’t have DC experience when he hired them. Williams and Schwartz each started their NFL coaching careers as a quality control assistant before being promoted to linebackers coach and then DC.
Cecil started as the Titans defensive quality control assistant and was promoted to safeties and nickel backs coach, then to defensive backs coach.
I believe that Fisher believes in giving his assistants a chance and Cecil is an up-and-coming young coach. If his style as a DC is as intense as his play on the field was, most Titans fans should be happy. Sports Illustrated once featured Cecil on its cover, with the caption, “Is Chuck Cecil too vicious for the NFL?”
Following is my favorite Chuck Cecil story and I thought I’d share it with you.
When Cecil played for the Packers, they had a game against the Bears in which the Bear players kept going after him. One of the Bears explained to him that their coach, Mike Ditka, had put a bounty on Cecil. Anyone that got him would be rewarded but anyone who didn’t take a shot at him would be fined. After making a play near the Bears sideline, Cecil started yelling at Ditka and he wasn’t inquiring about his health or asking how the family was doing.
Fast forward several years. Cecil was invited to play in Ditka’s golf tournament which benefited some charity. Apparently the invitation was sent inadvertently, because at the dinner that night, Cecil sought out Ditka and said, “Hello, Coach, I’m Chuck Cecil and I just wanted to thank you for inviting me to your tournament.”
Cecil said you should have seen Ditka’s jaw drop and seen the look on his face. Priceless.
Chuck Cecil’s NFL experience:
1988-92 Safety, Green Bay Packers (Pro Bowl, 1992)
1993 Safety, Phoenix Cardinals
1995 Safety, Houston Oilers
2001-03 Defensive Assistant/Quality Control, Tennessee Titans
2004-06 Safeties and Nickel Backs coach, Tennessee Titans
2007-08 Defensive Backs coach, Tennessee Titans
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