NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Tennessee Titans named Dean Pees defensive coordinator and Matt LaFleur offensive coordinator.
Pees has 10 years of experience as a defensive coordinator for both the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots and in six of those years, his units have finished in the NFL’s top 10.
LaFleur joins the Titans after spending one year as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, who ranked first in the NFL in scoring and 10th in total offense.
“I am excited to add both of these guys to our team,” said Titans head coach Mike Vrabel in a press release. “Dean brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to our staff. I have seen first-hand how he teaches and develops from our time together and I wanted to bring that same experience to our players here.”
Pees has 45 years of coaching experience, including 14 years in the NFL. He spent the last eight seasons (2010-17) with the Baltimore Ravens, including the last six years (2012-17) as the defensive coordinator. He joined Ravens in 2010, as the linebackers coach. The 2012 Ravens team won Super Bowl XLVII and he became just the eighth defensive coordinator in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl with two different teams. Three (2014,’15,’16) of his six years as defensive coordinator for the Ravens resulted in top 10 rankings on defense. Over his six-year tenure as Ravens defensive coordinator, the team ranked ninth in points/game (21.1), 10th in sacks (236), eighth in rushing yards allowed (103.4/game), fourth is rushing average allowed (3.88/attempt), 13th in third-down defense (36.9%) and 13th in interceptions (86).
LaFleur was part of the Rams offensive revival last year, in his first season with the team. Rams RB Todd Gurley led the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,093), was second in rushing yards (1,305) and QB Jared Goff ranked fifth in passer rating (100.5). As an offense, Los Angeles more than doubled their points scored per game, going from 14 per game to 29.8 per game. The team also improved to the ninth-best 3rd down offense and 14th in red zone offense. LaFleur has experience working with some of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL as he spent time with Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay.
Before joining the Ravens, Pees spent six seasons (2004-09) coaching for the Patriots. He originally joined New England as linebackers coach and was promoted to defensive coordinator for his final four seasons.
LaFleur spent two seasons (2015-16) as the quarterbacks coach with the Atlanta Falcons before going to the Los Angeles Rams for the 2017 season. While with the Falcons, QB Matt Ryan earned NFL MVP honors and the team earned an NFC Championship.