NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The deal still has not been signed but the Tennessee Titans announced Thursday night they have agreed in principle with Jon Robinson to take over as the team’s general manager.

The Union City, Tennessee native spent the last two years as the Director of Player Personnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“We are thrilled that Jon has agreed in principle to become our general manager,” said Titans Controlling Owner and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors Amy Adams Strunk. “As we visited with Jon and researched his career, his proven track record for scouting talent, leadership skills, and ability to build relationships make him an ideal candidate to lead our football operation. Jon is a proud Tennessean who is excited to be coming home, and we look forward to the future of our football team under his leadership.”

Robinson was a big part of the Bucs rebuilding efforts the last two years and was a central figure in their drafts that included Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jameis Winston.
“I am extremely grateful to Amy for this opportunity, and I am very excited for the chance to come home to Tennessee,” said Robinson. “I had a high comfort level with Amy, Kenneth (Adams IV), Steve (Underwood), and Vin (Marino) throughout the entire process, and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work.”

Prior to joining Tampa Bay, Robinson spent 12 years with the New England Patriots.
Five of those years he was the Patriots Director of College Scouting and he earned a spot in the Patriots draft room. In New England he worked with former Titans G-M Floyd Reese who called it a “home run” hire for the Titans.

Reese said Robinson clearly had the respect of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick who “wanted to know” what Robinson thought about things. In the five years heading up their college scouting, the Patriots added a number of key components to their roster that won the Super Bowl last year, including WR Julian Edelman, S Devin McCourty, TE Rob Gronkowski, T Nate Solder and DE Chandler Jones.

Robinson played three years at Southwest Missouri State as a defensive lineman after starting his college career at the Air Force Academy.

Following his college career as a player, he spent one season (1998) coaching at his alma mater and three years (1999-2001) coaching at Nicholls State.