The Tennessee Titans this evening announced that they fired offensive coordinator Chris Palmer and named quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains as the new offensive coordinator. In the statement announcing the change, Mike Munchak declared, "As an offense, I didn't feel like we were progressing the way that I had hoped. I believe we needed a change in direction and I hope to see that progress in our remaining games."
The Titans are coming off a 24-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in which they attempted five field goals against DVOA's 27th-ranked defense. If I were a cynic, I would note the Titans started 8 of their 12 offensive possessions inside their own 20 yard line. Their first five possessions ended with incomplete passes on third-and-2, third-and-3, third-and-3, third-and-3, and third-and-4. The Titans' overall success rate against the Jaguars was 48%, their third-best of the season, and came after their best offensive performance of the season before the bye against the Dolphins and a game against the Bears where they moved the ball somewhat consistently except when they kept fumbling the ball away every fifth play.
When the Titans hired Palmer following the 2010 season, I expected Palmer to last two years before Loggains assumed the offensive coordinator position. I find the timing of this move a bit questionable, given the Titans' offense is operating much more consistently than it was early in the season and especially the marked improvement in the run game. Still, given how good the Titans are this year, it's no surprise to see a coaching change during the season. I'm just surprised which coordinator they fired, or at least fired first.
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