NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Titans coach Mike Mularkey has his coordinators locked up, and it's an accomplished and experienced group.
The Titans have hired veteran coach Terry Robiskie as the team's offensive coordinator, while Dick LeBeau will return to his staff in 2016, as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator.
Veteran coach Bobby April has been hired as special teams coordinator.
Between the three of them, they have over 100 years of coaching experience in the NFL.
Keeping LeBeau is a big development for the Titans. A year ago, the Titans finished the season ranked 12th overall in total defense, allowing 342.2 yards per game. It was a big improvement from the year before, when the Titans finished 27th overall in total defense, allowing 373.0 yards per contest.
A year ago, LeBeau served as assistant head coach/defense, when he was in charge of the defense while working with long-time protégé Ray Horton, who served as defensive coordinator.
Prior to joining the Titans, LeBeau served as defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 11 seasons (2004 – 2014). Overall, he's spent 13 seasons (1995-96, 2004-14) as defensive coordinator for the Steelers, during which time the defense finished in the top five in defensive rankings 10 times, and five seasons as number one in defense (2004, 07, 08, 11, 12). LeBeau also spent a long stretch with the Bengals (1980-91 and 1997-2002), in addition to jobs with the Bills, Packers and Eagles.
Robiskie, who has 34 years of coaching experience in the NFL, including six seasons as an offensive coordinator, joins the Titans after spending the past eight seasons as wide receivers coach with the Falcons. He replaces Jason Michael, the team's offensive coordinator the past two seasons. Michael will remain on the staff as quarterbacks coach under Mularkey.
Under Robiskie's guidance in 2015, Falcons receiver Julio Jones set a franchise record for receiving yards in a season (1,871).
Robiskie also played a huge role in the development of receiver Roddy White, who is the franchise leader in receptions (808), receiving yards (10,863), and touchdowns (63). Titans receiver Harry Douglas had a 1,000-yard season with the Falcons under Robiskie's guidance in 2013. Douglas signed with the Titans last offseason.
Robiskie's resume includes stints as offensive coordinator and interim head coach on two occasions during his NFL career. Robiskie served as the receivers coach with the Dolphins prior to joining the Falcons, and prior to that he spent six years with the Browns, as receivers coach. He also served as offensive coordinator and went on to serve as Cleveland's interim head coach while in Cleveland.
Robiskie previously served as the receivers coach and passing game coordinator for the Redskins, and he also spent time as Washington's interim head coach for the final three games in 2000. Robiskie earned his start in the NFL with the then Los Angeles Raiders in 1982, where he coached 12 seasons. He served as assistant special teams coach, assistant running backs coach, tight ends coach and offensive coordinator at different times with the Raiders.
The Titans finished 30th in the NFL in total offense (25th rushing, 25th passing).
April replaces Nate Kaczor, the team's special teams coach the past three seasons.
April, who has 24 years of experience in the NFL, coached last season with the Jets. Prior to joining the Jets, April's units scored 21 touchdowns on kickoff returns (12) and punt returns (9) during his 23 seasons as special teams coach.
April spent two seasons as the special teams coordinator in Oakland (2013-14) after serving three years (2010-12) with the Eagles. Prior to joining the Eagles, April spent six seasons (2004-09) with Buffalo, and in three of those six years guided the Bills to the No. 1 spot in the annual Dallas Morning News rankings.
He joined the Bills after three seasons (2001-03) in charge of the special teams with the St. Louis Rams, where he helped the team to Super Bowl XXXVI. From 1996-99, April worked with the New Orleans Saints in the same position. He was Pittsburgh's special teams coordinator from 1994-95 after beginning his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, working as the team's tight ends and special teams coach from 1991-93.
"I am very confident in myself and I will be confident in the guys that I'm hiring," Mularkey said at a press conference on Monday. "I am going to surround myself with people that have the same feelings as I do, the same beliefs, same coaching style. These guys know what they are getting, the players know, they saw me for nine weeks. They know what they are getting, this organization knows what they are getting. It is not like starting brand new. I know what changes need to be made and fortunately I get a chance to change them."
Terry Robiskie Coaching Timeline
2008-15: Atlanta Falcons -Wide Receivers
2013-14: Atlanta Falcons - Assistant Head Coach & WRs
2008-12: Atlanta Falcons - Wide Receivers
2007: Miami Dolphins - Wide Receivers
2005-06: Cleveland Browns - Wide Receivers
2004: Cleveland Browns - Interim Head Coach (5 games)
2004: Cleveland Browns - Offensive Coordinator
2001-03: Cleveland Browns - Wide Receivers
2000: Washington Redskins - Interim Head Coach (3 games)
1999-00: Washington Redskins - Passing Game Coordinator
1994-98: Washington Redskins - Wide Receivers
1989-93: Oakland Raiders - Offensive Coordinator
1988: Oakland Raiders - Tight Ends
1985-87: Oakland Raiders - Asst. Running Backs Coach
1982-84: Oakland Raiders - Asst. Special Teams
Bobby April Coaching Timeline
2015: New York Jets - Special Teams Coordinator
2013-14: Oakland Raiders - Special Teams Coordinator
2010-12: Philadelphia Eagles - Special Teams Coordinator
2004-09: Buffalo Bills - Special Teams Coordinator
2001-03: St. Louis Rams - Special Teams Coordinator
1996-99: New Orleans Saints - Special Teams Coordinator
1994-95: Pittsburgh Steelers - Special Teams Coordinator
1991-93: Atlanta Falcons - Tight Ends / Special Teams
1988-90: Southern California - Special Teams
1987: Southern California - Secondary
1983-86: University of Arizona - Secondary
1980-83: University of Arizona - Defensive Line
1979: Tulane - Tight Ends
1978: Southern Mississippi - Graduate Assistant
1976-77: Chalmette (LA) HS - Assistant Coach
