Coming off a disappointing 24-19 loss to Jacksonville, the Titans fired offensive coordinator Chris Palmer late on Monday and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains.
Entering the game with a 4-6 mark and an outside shot to make the AFC playoffs, the Titans settled for field goal attempts on five occasions, making four, and scoring only one touchdown against an opponent that entered 1-9.
The Titans rank 24th in the NFL in total offense.
"As an offense I didn't feel like we were progressing the way that I had hoped," Titans head coach Mike Munchak said in a statement released by the team. "I believe we needed a change in direction and I hope to see that progress in our remaining games. Dowell has worked here for a number of years under some very successful coordinators and he is ready for this challenge."
Palmer did some positive things — first-round pick Kendall Wright leads all rookies in receptions — but the offense has struggled to find consistency. Through the first few weeks of the season, running back Chris Johnson's production was abysmal but Johnson has rebounded of late. In addition, offensive players seemed at a loss at times to explain as to why talented tight end Jared Cook has not been targeted more often. Cook reportedly asked for a trade prior to the NFL's trading deadline, but it was not granted.
Palmer has 21 years of experience as an NFL coach, including two as head coach of the Cleveland Browns. He also served as offensive coordinator of the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Loggains is considerably younger, having played quarterback at the University of Arkansas from 2000 to 2004. He is in his fifth season coaching with the Titans and has worked for the last two with starting quarterback Jake Locker, the team's first-round pick in 2011. Now, Locker's development will be even more in the hands of Loggains.
