NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans announced the following coaches will not be retained for next season: Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, Defensive Assistant Rayna Stewart and Offensive Assistant Richie Wessman.
Statement from Head Coach Mike Munchak
"I met with Mike, Rayna and Richie today and informed them that they would not be retained as a part of the new staff. These are not easy decisions, but I have a responsibility to move things in the direction that I have laid out for this team. We will continue to evaluate the rest of the staff moving forward.
"As it relates to Mike, I have a great deal of respect for him as a person and admiration for the way he is fighting against cancer. He is an innovative offensive mind and we have worked well through the years, but I believe we need to go in a different direction at offensive coordinator. This wasn't about his health - he is feeling good - it is a change of direction for us. This is not something that I take lightly and I wish him and his family the best."
Statement from Sr. EVP Steve Underwood
"Our organization is deeply appreciative of Mike's dedication to his work, especially in light of his ongoing medical issues. Once we learned in November that Mike and his family were facing difficult heath concerns, we immediately offered to extend his employment agreement so that he could focus on his recovery and work. This way, he was not facing uncertainty about his employment. Mike continued to participate fully in his work for the rest of the season and we will always be grateful for his continuing devotion to duty. A new head coach will often make changes in his staff, and it is never easy to make this kind of transition. As we have made clear to our new head coach and to those we interviewed, we believe that a head coach must be given latitude in putting his staff in place. None of this changes the fact that we will honor Mike's existing agreement with our club and continue to wish him a complete recovery."
