NFL's Titans make Mularkey new coach after interim turn

NFL's Titans make Mularkey new coach after interim turn

NEW YORK - Mike Mularkey was named coach of the NFL's Tennessee Titans on Saturday after having guided the club on an interim basis over the final nine games of this past season.

Mike Mularkey of the Tennessee Titans instructs his team during the game against the Indianapolis Colts on January 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana

Mularkey went 2-7 after taking over the Titans following the firing of Ken Whisenhunt.

Tennessee finished 3-13, level with Cleveland for the worst record in the NFL, and missed the playoffs for the seventh season in a row.

In addition to 21 years on NFL coaching staffs, Mularkey spent nine seasons as a player at tight end for Minnesota and Pittsburgh.

"Mike is a quality coach and an outstanding person who will help us build this team the right way," said Amy Adams Strunk, the Titans' controlling owner. "We understand this may take time but we believe he has the experience and expertise to build a consistent winner."

Mularkey, 54, has a 18-39 record as an NFL head coach, going 14-18 with the Buffalo Bulls in 2004-05 and 2-14 with Jacksonville in 2012.

"I will give all that I have to make this team successful and our city and fans proud," Mularkey said. "The last two months of the season were extremely valuable in order to understand our personnel and instill some of our values and standard of play, so we won't be starting from scratch."

That means Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will have the same offensive schemes in place that he used to throw for 2,818 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in his rookie season.

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