BOCA RATON, Fla. —It's been roughly one year since Amy Adams Strunk took over as controlling owner of the Tennessee Titans, and plenty has changed since.
Here at the NFL owners meetings, the franchise has a new general manager (Jon Robinson), head coach (Mike Mularkey), and team president (Steve Underwood). The Titans picked a face-of-the-franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota in last year's NFL Draft, and the team has made some key additions in free agency more recently.
And with Strunk calling the shots, the organization has a new vision as well.
Strunk, the daughter of late Titans owner Bud Adams, admits she had some sleepless nights to get to this point. She's made some difficult decisions, no doubt. While taking a break in between today's sessions, however, she spoke optimistically about the outlook moving forward. She's excited about what's ahead.
"I had a vision and I agonized on how I was going to get to that vision. But my vision has been clear, and it was always to get this team on track, and to get to winning,'' Strunk said.
"I am passionate about this team. Since I was six years old going to my first Oilers game, I've been passionate about it. Back then I was that star-struck fan. I waited outside the locker room to get autographs just like millions of other kids have done. It's always been in my blood. The main thing now is I want to win. We all want to win, and we want to be a force in the NFL. It's time."
Following a 3-13 season, and with just five wins over the past two seasons, the Titans have taken steps to make it happen.
Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk interacts with fans at the 2016 SportsFest Saturday at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
Last season, Strunk dismissed coach Ken Whisenhunt, and named Mularkey the interim coach. In January, after a coaching search, Strunk made the decision to stick with Mularkey. Also in January, Strunk hired Robinson after she opted not to renew the contract of former GM Ruston Webster.
When free agency began, the Titans dove in head-first. The team traded for former Eagles running back DeMarco Murray, and since the beginning of March the Titans have signed seven new players to the team, while also re-signing several of their own free agents.
"I am so happy with how things have gone,'' Strunk said. "Jon has done such a good job. I think people who have graded our free agency have said 'Wow, The Titans are in there.' I think it has been fantastic.
"And Mike, from the beginning he has said he wanted to get a strong running back and we have that in DeMarco. I think it is going to help Marcus, and our whole offense. DeMarco gives us a weapon."
Strunk praised Robinson for executing the plan. And she also expressed confidence in Mularkey, who served as the team's interim coach the final nine games of the 2015 season.
"I am so happy when I hear free agents say: 'I want to play for Mike,' Strunk said. "That says everything to me, it really does. He is a good coach.
"Jon, he told me he wasn't going to go crazy overspending, that he would get us the players we need but he'd be smart about it and he's done that."
All the changes, Strunk said, needed to be made. Strunk said the Titans will continue to build the roster.
"We needed to improve, and we need to start winning. Really, that is what it is all about. And we are headed in that direction,'' Strunk said. "I didn't have to tell (Jon) too much. Sometimes throwing that money (at free agents) works and sometimes it doesn't. I think Jon has been judicious in his choices, and from an owner's standpoint I like what I see. I am excited about all these guys. They are really going to add to the team."
Robinson, who worked previously with the Patriots and Buccaneers praised Strunk for her commitment, and helping him make the transition to his new role.
"I would say she has been outstanding, emphatically outstanding,'' Robinson said of Strunk. "She is extremely approachable, she has a great personality, she is into football, and she is passionate about this football team. She wants to see this football team succeed. She wants to make the entire state of Tennessee and Nashville proud of the Titans. And she wants the fans to know they are a part of the family.
"Amy, we talk multiple times throughout the course of the week, either by phone call or text. She has made my transition to this job fun."
This week, Strunk has been surrounded by others NFL owners at the Boca Raton Resort.
Texans owner Bob McNair said he's visited with Strunk, and seen her in general sessions.
Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk, head coach Mike Mularkey, GM Jon Robinson, Titans players, alumni and cheerleaders were among those greeting season ticket members at Nashville's Music City Center. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
"She has been active, and in attendance and paying attention to what is going on, and seems to be enjoying it,'' McNair said. "I think she is very interested in the team and very committed to trying to improve the fortunes of the team."
In recent weeks, Strunk has also been more involved in the community in Nashville as well.
Strunk spoke during an event for season-ticket holders at the Convention Center in Nashville last month. Over the weekend, she attended 104.5-FM's annual SportsFest event at Nissan Stadium, where she mingled with fans.
"She has made a concentrated effort to get out and be more visible in the public, and not just the public but around the organization,'' Mularkey said of Strunk. "She has been around a bunch more, and she wants to be more involved. Jon and I stay in constant contact with her, keeping her updated. She wants to know what is going on on a daily basis. She is very active, and I think that has been good for the organization."
In the coming weeks, the Titans will see more changes. Mularkey has spoken about improvements inside Saint Thomas Sports Park, from the locker room to the indoor practice facility.
The Titans have the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, and the team is scheduled to make eight picks.
Strunk, of course, wants to see the biggest changes on the football field.
She knows she's not the only one.
"When I first took over I felt like I had to watch and learn and see how we needed to move this team toward winning, and I think as time has gone on I was able to put my stamp on it,'' Strunk said. "When I see the fans, they are excited, and that makes me happy. I want to help us start winning.
"The fans, they have been great, and very encouraging to me. I want to win like they do, and I want to win for them. I want that stadium to go back to the way it was, when it was rocking, rocking because we were winning.
"Winning, it's a really good feeling and losing is a bad feeling I don't like. I want us to win games."
