Smith 'thankful' for opportunities, ideas Munchak provided
Mike Munchak’s coaching reputation is not rooted in the three years he was head coach of the Tennessee Titans. He is known more for his extensive work as an offensive line coach, the post he currently holds with the Denver Broncos.
Nonetheless, his time in charge (2011-13) has sprouted a small coaching tree.
Two of the youngest members of his Tennessee staffs are now offensive coordinators in the NFL, including Arthur Smith who is in his first year of calling the Titans’ plays. The other is Dowell Loggains, offensive coordinator for the New York Jets who also worked in that capacity for Chicago and Miami after Munchak gave him his first opportunity to run an offense (2013)
Smith was 29 years old when he joined the Titans as a defensive assistant/quality control in 2011, Munchak’s first season as head coach. The next year he moved to offensive assistant/quality control and in 2013 was promoted offensive line/tight end assistant.
His rise through the ranks continued with Munchak’s successors, Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Mularkey and – now – Mike Vrabel, each of who retained him and promoted him once.
Smith and Munchak won’t match wits Sunday when the Titans and Broncos meet in Denver. They will, however, see who can do more with some similar blocking schemes, particularly in the pass game.
“He’s a great teacher, a great man,” Smith said Thursday. “And he taught me a lot about protections.”
Actually, pass protection is an area in which the Titans have struggled this season. They have allowed 22 sacks through the first five games. The only team that has allowed more is Loggains’ Jets, whose quarterbacks have gone down 23 times in four games.
By comparison, Munchak’s offensive line in Denver has allowed 14 sacks.
Hear Smith’s thoughts on Munchak and what the Pro Football Hall of Famer has meant to his coaching career in the above video.
