Titans want to meet with Mike Tice about coordinator job

Mike Munchak made it official with one of his coordinators on Saturday, hiring Jerry Gray to run the defense.

Now, the next big move the coach of the Tennessee Titans needs to make is adding an offensive coordinator.

The Titans are hoping to meet with Chicago Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice, an NFL source said. It’s not clear at this point whether or not the Bears will grant him permission to meet with the Titans. Tice has one year remaining on his contract and the team is in the midst of a rebuilding project on the offensive line. Replacing Tice in mid-February would not be an easy task.

Tennessee was already rebuffed by the New York Jets. The Titans had hoped to talk to New York offensive line coach Bill Callahan, but they were denied according to an ESPN report. Callahan also has the title of assistant head coach for the Jets. It’s possible the Bears could give Tice a similar title.

The Bears are expected to bring in at least one newcomer to the line this offseason and more likely two. Tice tinkered with the unit, using five starting combinations through the first eight games before settling on a starting five. It’s not a coincidence that at that point the Bears’ offense began to show improvement.

Coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo have consistently referred to Tice as one of the best line coaches in the league. That may make it difficult for them to risk losing him.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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