The Tennessee Titans fired coach Mike Vrabel on Tuesday and sent shockwaves through the NFL world to the point where even Titans running back Derrick Henry couldn’t believe the news.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini spoke with Henry by phone shortly after the news broke.
“Wow. Wow. I’m shocked,” Henry told Russini. “Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He is a great coach and teacher. I know he will get another opportunity right away. I look forward to it.”
Vrabel is likely to become a hot candidate for coaching positions in the current cycle, and some observers are already linking him to the New England Patriots, who are rumored to be considering a divorce with Bill Belichick.
Henry is set to become a free agent this offseason, and it’s widely believed he will move on to a new team. The venerable running back seemed to say goodbye to Titans fans after the team’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday as he gave an emotional speech to the crowd in Nashville.