MIKE MULARKEY

Mike Mularkey signed as a rookie free agent in 1983 and spent six years in purple as a backup tight end.  He was an excellent blocker, but only caught 42 passes over his six seasons with the Vikings.  He moved to Pittsburgh as a free agent in 1989 and immediately found increased playing time, catching 60 balls over three years there.  Following his playing career, he ascended through the Steelers coaching ranks, ultimately becoming their offensive coordinator.  He parlayed that success into a head coaching gig with the Buffalo Bills.  After two years, he was made a scapegoat for the talent-starved Bills roster, but rebounded as offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.  Thanks to an explosive offense led by Matt Ryan, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez, Mularkey re-established his reputation as one of the more innovative offensive minds in the NFL.  That earned him a second head-coaching gig, this time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.  He would last only one season there before a new regime cleaned house.  He has landed on his feet again this year, his first as the tight ends coach for the Tennessee Titans.