New Tennessee coach Mike Munchak has hired his friend and former teammate Bruce Matthews to coach the Titans' offensive line.
Matthews, who had agreed to but not signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans, has been close to Munchak since their days as Hall of Fame linemen for the Oilers/Titans franchise. Their friendship is so tight, they served as each other's presenters at their Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions.
"I am very excited that we were able to work out something with Bruce," Munchak said. "He is a great friend, but he also is a great coach. He has paid his dues as an assistant coach and is ready for this opportunity."
Matthews, a 14-time Pro Bowl and nine-time All-Pro pick, spent the past two seasons as an offensive assistant for the Houston Texans and replaces Munchak, who was hired Monday as Jeff Fisher's successor. Among the players he will be coaching is his son, Kevin, who was signed to the Titans' active roster in December after spending most of the season on the team's practice squad.
"For me, this is an opportunity of a lifetime," Matthews said. "It is such a unique opportunity to work with Mike, because I think he will do a great job. It is just one of those things I couldn't pass up."
The Titans, *The Houston Chronicle* reported, informed the University of Texas that they plan to interview defensive backs coach Jerry Gray, another former Oilers teammate of Munchak's, for their defensive coordinator job. Gray formerly coached defensive backs for the Titans and also was defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
