When the Tennessee Titans take the field for their first preseason football game, they’ll have a new acting head coach on the sideline. On Monday, head coach Mike Vrabel, who is entering his sixth season with the Titans, announced that longtime assistant, Terrell Williams, will temporarily assume head coaching duties while Vrabel takes a back seat for Saturday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
“This is a great opportunity for him and for us, and everybody involved,” said Vrabel at a press conference on Monday.
As part of the promotion, Williams, who has coached for 26 seasons and has served as the Titans’ defensive line coach since 2018, will coordinate with the team’s athletic trainer, handle roster responsibilities, manage the assistant coaches, and gameplay. Williams’ assistant, Clinton McMillian, will handle the defensive line duties.
“I do think it will be a great opportunity, well deserved. Just something that I wanted to do,” Vrabel told reporters (Disclosure: The author is unapologetically from New England where Vrabel played for eight seasons).
Building Trust
It’s no secret that the National Football League is full of big personalities and even bigger egos. So a head coach voluntarily stepping aside, even for a preseason game, is noteworthy. In doing so, Vrabel is building an organizational culture of trust.
Every company wants its employees to feel energized, connected, and fulfilled. Yet according to a 2022 Gallup survey, just 32% of workers felt engaged at work, down from 36% in 2020. Building a strong company or team doesn’t happen organically—it requires fostering a culture of trust.
There are many ways leaders can build trust from goal setting to information sharing to displaying emotional intelligence and empathy. They can also build trust by rewarding excellence with opportunity—which is exactly what Vrabel is doing. According to a 2017 study in the Harvard Business Review, “employees in high-trust organizations are more productive, have more energy at work, collaborate better with their colleagues, and stay with their employers longer than people working at low-trust companies.”
Empowering Employees
The vast majority of employees want to grow, learn, contribute, and make an impact. When leaders invest in a culture of trust and empowerment, they are building a better workplace. A LinkedIn Learning report from 2019 found a whopping 94% of employees indicated they would stay at a company longer if that company invests in their learning and development. By elevating Williams, Vrabel is sending a clear signal that in his locker room, talented employees can grow and thrive. Other coaches around the league should take notice.
Vrabel’s move also gives Williams valuable experience, which could help position him for a future head coaching job. There are currently 32 NFL franchises and only three Black head coaches —Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite efforts to implement DEI-forward hiring practices like the Rooney Rule, Black coaches are still severely disadvantaged. Among other necessary reforms, additional growth avenues–from skill building and educational opportunities to mentorship, stretch projects, and leadership roles–are essential to elevating and retaining Black coaches.
Speaking to reporters this week, Williams was humble and undaunted by the new opportunity. “I’ve worked hard just like the rest of the coaches and for Vrabes [Vrabel] to recognize that was great. And the truth is, whether you get a title or not, you still do your job—and nothing has really changed for me.”
Whether he admits it or not, change is happening in Tennessee. Vrabel is writing his leadership playbook. And when the Titans take the field with Coach Williams at the helm, this longtime Patriots fan will be pumping her fist in the air and cheering them on.
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