The Tennessee Titans’ search for a new general manager is reportedly over, with the team set to hire San Francisco 49ers director of pro personnel, Ran Carthon, as their new lead man in the front office.
Carthon, who is now the 15th general manager in franchise history, beat out two other finalists in Titans vice president of player personnel, Ryan Cowden, and Chicago Bears assistant GM, Ian Cunningham.
This is a great hire for the Titans.
For starters, it’s an outside hire that gives hope of at least a slightly new direction, something Titans were yearning for. Carthon also has a ton of experience and his knowledge of the game is well-respected around the league.
Last but not least, Carthon comes from a great franchise in the Niners, a team he has helped build into a perennial winner since he got there in 2017.
In order to learn a bit more about the Titans’ new GM, here’s a look at eight things to know.
Played college ball at Florida
How appropriate for a run-first team like the Titans to hire a former running back as their next general manager.
Carthon played his college ball at Florida, where he rushed for 1,353 yards and 11 scores over four years. He also added 511 receiving yards and a touchdown on 56 catches over 48 collegiate games.
During his time at Florida, Carthon was known as “The Mayor” because he appeared to know everyone in the area. Now, the Titans have two Mayors in the building, along with the Mayor of Murfreesboro, Kevin Byard.
Spent a few years in the pros
After going undrafted, Carthon latched on with the Indianapolis Colts, where he spent parts of three seasons with the team, appearing in nine games from 2005-06. He totaled 16 carries for 22 yards and a score in that span.
Carthon also had cups of coffee with the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.
NFL pedigree
The pedigree is definitely there for Carthon, who is the son of former NFL player and coach, Maurice Carthon.
The elder Carthon spent eight seasons in the league as a fullback. He played with the Giants for seven seasons, winning a pair of Super Bowls, and then finished his career with the Colts.
After retiring, Carthon worked his way up the coaching ranks and was an offensive coordinator with three different teams, including the Lions (2001-02), Cowboys (2003-04) and Browns (2005-06).
After two years as the Cardinals’ running backs coach, Carthon spent four seasons as the Chiefs’ assistant head coach, where Mike Vrabel played under him for two of them.
Interesting note on Ran Carthon potential #Titans GM. Father Maurice was Chiefs Assistant Head Coach when Mike Vrabel finished his career in KC. An interesting fit but not out of left field.
— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) January 17, 2023
A rising star
Ran Carthon has been seen by NFL people as rising star to run his own team for years. Consistently heard about special connection & respect he builds with players + talent evaluation skills.
Titans at crucial juncture. Carthon gets to direct roster in his & Mike Vrabel vision: https://t.co/rzxggRAWha
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 17, 2023
A wealth of experience
Carthon has been scouting in the NFL for 15 years, getting his start with the Atlanta Falcons as a pro scout from 2008-11. He was also the director of pro personnel with the Rams (2012-16) before moving on to the 49ers, where he had held his now-former role since 2017.
With the Niners, Carthon has also worked with some excellent executives in general manager John Lynch and assistant general manager Adam Peters, both of whom are highly thought of around the NFL. Peters was one of Tennessee’s original targets for the job before he declined all interviews.
Ran Carthon is a very good GM candidate for the #Titans. Former player (Colts RB)
15 yrs in scouting.
Was with 49ers since 2017 as director of pro personnel.
Other stops include:
2012-16 as director of pro personnel w/Rams.
2008-11 as pro scout w/Falcons.— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 17, 2023
A lot of success
A successful football team is more than just about one guy, but since Carthon arrived in San Fran in 2017, the Niners have made three trips to the playoffs, including one that ended in the NFC Championship Game and another that ended in the Super Bowl.
Over the last four seasons, the Niners have been one of the better teams in the NFL and have tallied three double-digit win seasons, including a pair of 13-win campaigns.
San Fran is still alive in the playoffs this year and is considered one of the top Super Bowl contenders, even with a seventh-round rookie at the helm.
Previous interest
This isn’t the first go-around for Carthon, as he was a candidate for the GM jobs of the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears last offseason.
A known collaborator
Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk stressed hiring someone who would collaborate on decisions. Well, it appears Carthon is known for that.
Per Paul Kuharsky:
Carthon has a reputation as being an excellent collaborator, a quality that Amy Adams Strunk surely likes in the replacement she chose for Jon Robinson.
I spoke with three people who know Carthon and all three pointed to his ability to head up teamwork as a strong suit.
Carthon figures to work closely with Mike Vrabel, as the pair try to re-tool this team.
