NFL owners notebook: Whisenhunt's persistence pays off with hiring of LeBeau

PHOENIX — Tennessee Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt had made several attempts before to hire Dick LeBeau to run his defense.

When he left the Steelers after the 2006 season to become head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Whisenhunt wanted to hire LeBeau as his defensive coordinator. Several years later, he tried to hire him again.

Each time, the Steelers blocked the move by not granting the Cardinals permission to talk with LeBeau.

This time, Whisenhunt didn’t face any such issue. When LeBeau was told in January he would not be retained after 11 seasons as Steelers defensive coordinator, Whisenhunt was free to hire his friend and former co-worker to run his defense.

Even though the Titans already had LeBeau disciple Ray Horton as their defensive coordinator, LeBeau was brought in as associate head coach in charge of defense.

“I don’t think you’ll find many people who would say he’s not an outstanding coach,” Whisenhunt said Tuesday at the annual AFC coaches breakfast. “Personally, it’s great for me because Dick and I are so close. We talked through the years about maybe one day having a chance to work together again. I don’t know how he feels about it, but I’m excited about the possibility.”

The Titans won their opening game last season, then lost 14 of their next 15 to finish 2-14 and get the No. 2 pick in the draft. Their defense ranked 27th overall in the league, including 31st against the run (137.2 yards per game). One of their big acquisitions in free agency was former Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, who will pair with Derrick Morgan as bookend edge rushers in LeBeau’s 3-4 defense.

But Whisenhunt thinks the biggest addition is LeBeau, whose ability to relate to his players is legendary.

“I was asked about coaches being able to command a room or relate to players, and that’s one thing about Dick you would never question because everybody I’ve ever been around that he’s coached has loved the man,” Whisenhunt said.

“There’s a special quality about him. It’s a little bit like going to Augusta — you have expectations of being there and, when you go there, it’s even better than what you thought.

That’s a little bit with Dick. You have this expectation and, when you get around him, you’re like, wow, he’s even better than what I thought he was. That speaks a lot to his demeanor and his ability as coach.”



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