Tennessee Titans

Mike Mularkey: 'It's not the same old from last year'

Published Jan. 19, 2016 1:11 a.m. ET

foxsports

The head coach may be the same, but Mike Mularkey wants Tennessee Titans fans to know they can expect to see a different team from the one that closed out the 2015 season.

Mularkey led the Titans to a 2-7 record as interim head coach after taking over for Ken Whisenhunt and is 18-39 in three-plus seasons, including two years as head coach of the Buffalo Bills and one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I understand (the fans') feelings completely,’’ Mularkey said. “All I ask is they give us a chance. I think that is very important, that they give us a chance. Give (General Manager) Jon (Robinson) and I a chance to build a roster that they can be proud of, and the city can be proud of.

“There’s going to be changes. It is not the same old from last year -- 2015 is over, 2012 is over, 2004 and ‘05 are over. I am talking about the now. I am not talking about the past. There’s going to be changes for this thing to go in the right direction.”.

While fans may view the team's decision to give Mularkey the full-time job with skepticism, the coach asked for patience.

“I am thrilled to have a fresh start with this football team. I love working for his organization," Mularkey said. "I was put I in a challenging position and I accepted it midway through last year, and tried to run with it to see if I could make a difference with the team and I feel like I did that. I learned a lot in these last nine weeks of the season, and I saw a lot. I saw things that need to be changed, but couldn’t change them. I can now. You’ll see that in a number of areas.

“You will see change happen, and I am thrilled I get a chance to do that. I am ready to move forward in a positive direction.”/p>

Via the Titans' official website:

Mularkey, who took over after Week 8, said he appreciated the opportunity to have a full offseason to implement changes his in-season promotion wouldn't allow.

One of the changes Mularkey said he'll make initially is the hiring of a new offensive coordinator. Jason Michael, who held the position last season, will remain on staff as quarterbacks coach.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton's future with the club has yet to be determined, but assistant head coach/defense Dick LeBeau is expected to return.

The Titans will also have a new special teams coach to replace Nate Kazcor, who left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the same capacity, according to FOXSports.com's Alex Marvez.