Mike Sullivan is in his 21st year as an NFL coach and his 10th season with the Titans. He has worked with the Titans offensive line since joining the club in 2014. Having played the position for a number of years within the NFL, Sullivan brings experience and insight to his position.
In 2022, the Titans offensive line unit was forced to use six different starting combinations. Three members of the line recorded career highs in starts: Aaron Brewer (17), Dennis Daley (15) and rookie Nicholas Petit-Frere (16). Petit-Frere, a third-round pick, became the fourth offensive lineman in the franchise's "Titans era" (1999–present) to start at least 16 games as a rookie, while veteran center Ben Jones was named to his first Pro Bowl. The line helped Derrick Henry finish second in the NFL with 1,538 rushing yards.
In 2021, injuries forced the Titans use seven different starting offensive line combinations and five different starters at left tackle. However, the offense managed to finish fifth in rushing, averaging 141.4 rushing yards per game. Left guard Rodger Saffold III was named to his first career Pro Bowl.
In 2020, while using three different starting left tackles, the Titans had the NFL's second-ranked rushing offense (168.1 yards per game), and the unit's 25 sacks allowed was the sixth-best number in the league. Three of the team's regulars on the offensive line by the end of the season established new career highs in starts: right tackle Dennis Kelly (16), left tackle David Quessenberry (six) and right guard Nate Davis (16). The unit helped Henry lead the NFL in rushing (2,027 yards) for the second consecutive year and record the fifth-highest single-season rushing total in NFL history.
In 2019, the Titans offense finished third in the NFL in rushing (138.9 yards per game) with Henry leading the league in rushing (1,540 yards). The offensive line protected NFL Comeback Player of the Year Ryan Tannehill as the veteran quarterback led the NFL with a 117.5 passer rating. As a third-round rookie, Davis started 15 consecutive games (including playoffs) at right guard.
In 2018, Sullivan's efforts with the offensive line contributed to the NFL's seventh-ranked rushing offense (126.4 yards per game), despite the team utilizing five different starting line combinations due to injuries. Henry finished second in the AFC with 1,059 rushing yards and placed third in the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns. Left tackle Taylor Lewan was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl following the 2018 campaign.
In 2016, the revamped Titans offensive line gained a reputation as one of the best lines in the NFL. Lewan earned his first Pro Bowl berth while rookie right tackle Jack Conklin earned first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors. The line paved the way for the AFC's leading rusher, DeMarco Murray (1,287 rushing yards), and allowed the seventh-lowest sack total in the NFL (28).
In his first two years (2014-15), the offensive line group dealt with a myriad of injuries, which forced a number of different starting combinations during his time working with the group. Despite some of the hardships, Lewan earned All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers of America for his play in limited starts in 2014.
In 2013, Sullivan coached two of the Cleveland Browns linemen to Pro Bowl selections – tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack.
Sullivan's third stint with the Browns was preceded by four seasons as an offensive line coach for the San Diego Chargers. His coaching helped lead the Chargers offensive unit to average 1,640 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns per season. He also guided guard Kris Dielman to three Pro Bowl selections (2009, 2010, 2011) and Louis Vasquez to PFW/PFWA All-Rookie team in 2009.
Prior to joining the Chargers, Sullivan coached for the Browns on two separate occasions: first from 2001-04 as an assistant offensive line coach and then from 2007-08 as offensive line coach. His second stint with the team helped produce two consecutive Pro Bowl selections for Thomas.
Sullivan also has three seasons of college coaching experience, first as a graduate assistant for his alma mater, the University of Miami (Fla.), in 2000 and then as the offensive line coach for Western Michigan from 2005-06. His coaching career began abroad in 1997, his first of five campaigns coaching in Germany, France and Spain for teams within the European Federation of American Football.
A four-year starter (48 games) for the Miami Hurricanes from 1987-90, Sullivan played both guard and tackle collegiately before being drafted in the sixth round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He was a member of two National Title teams in 1987 and 1989 and was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. Sullivan would go on to play a total of 48 NFL games, all for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1992-95.
A Chicago native, he is a graduate and inductee of the St. Francis de Sales High School Hall of Fame. In April 2020, he was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame.
He and his wife, Carole, have three children: daughter Teagan and sons Patrick and John.
Mike Sullivan's Coaching Timeline:
2019-23: Assistant Offensive Line, Tennessee Titans
2018: Offensive Assistant, Tennessee Titans
2014-17: Assistant Offensive Line, Tennessee Titans
2013: Offensive Line, Cleveland Browns
2009-12: Offensive Line, San Diego Chargers
2007-08: Offensive Line, Cleveland Browns
2005-06: Offensive Line, Western Michigan University
2001-04: Assistant Offensive Line, Cleveland Browns
2000: Graduate Assistant, University of Miami (Fla.)
