MOBILE, Ala. -- There was no more respected figure on the Tennessee Titans coaching staff than 80-year-old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, so it will be hard for many, including the man who made the decision, to say goodbye.
New Titans coach Mike Vrabel met with LeBeau in person to tell him that he would not be retained during the 2018 season. Vrabel simply wanted to add his own coordinators.
"I didn't feel like I wanted to do that on the phone," Vrabel said. "I asked if he would meet. He came in. I just wanted to tell him. I thought that was the right thing to do."
"I gave it a lot of thought and consideration. I had to make a decision. Once I made a decision, the best thing to do was to sit down there, look him in the eye and tell him why I was doing it. And do it, same thing I'll do with our players. I think that's the best way."
LeBeau has played or coached in the NFL for an NFL-record 59 consecutive seasons. He's expected to consider retirement, but two of LeBeau's former assistants wondered if he would actually do it.
"Dickie is a lifer," one former assistant said.
"Age is just a number. Now, it's a little bit bigger number," LeBeau told ESPN earlier in the season. "I don't see anybody walking around here 200 years old, so you have to take that in consideration."
The Titans' locker room won't be the same without LeBeau, who joined Tennessee in 2015 as assistant head coach/defense before being placed in his defensive coordinator role prior to the 2016 season.
Cornerback Logan Ryan and safety Kevin Byard were among the Titans players who paid homage to LeBeau once they heard news of his departure. General manager Jon Robinson and Vrabel also had plenty of praise for LeBeau.
Absolutely Honored, Blessed, Grateful, Lucky to be able to play for Dick LeBeau!! One of the reasons I came to Nashville. You'll be missed on the sidelines and meeting rooms but your life lessons will stick with us forever!! #TitanUp https://t.co/ZDUdpVUfdX pic.twitter.com/8TDc49zXXj
— Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) January 23, 2018
🐐 A football legend. Grateful just to have been coached by him https://t.co/qkb5xbDoWi
— Kevin Byard (@KB31_Era) January 23, 2018
"I can't say enough good things about coach LeBeau. I kind of had him mis-pegged when I first got the job because I saw him on the sidelines with the Steelers, and he had that sock hat, the gruff and it was cold," Robinson said. "He's a great man. His career speaks for itself as a player and a coach. I wish him nothing but the best moving forward."
Vrabel added: "It's hard to put into words what he's meant to this game as a player and a coach. He's a Hall of Fame player and a Hall of Fame coach. That's all you have to say, really."
Well-known for his role in bringing the zone blitz to prominence, LeBeau was loved by Titans players for his youthful happiness and energy, wealth of knowledge and strong storytelling. He had a Hall of Fame playing career with the Detroit Lions, notching 62 interceptions. He accomplished just as much, if not more, as a coach, winning two Super Bowls in Pittsburgh in part due to his aggressive and tough defenses.
The 2017 Titans finished 13th in total defense and 17th in scoring defense. LeBeau got progress and development out of a young defensive core, even if the numbers didn't always show it.
"That [LeBeau decision] comes with sitting in that seat," Vrabel said. "I'm going to accept responsibility, give credit to other people and be decisive. That's kind of what I know. That's kind of what I've done."
The Titans are interviewing defensive coordinator candidates. Vrabel confirmed Tuesday that the new defensive coordinator will have control over playcalling except when Vrabel chooses to use his head coach veto.