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Titans Name Dean Pees DC, Matt LaFleur OC
New Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has made two big hires on his first coaching staff.
The Titans have reached a deal with veteran coach Dean Pees to be their defensive coordinator, while also striking a deal with Matt LaFleur to be offensive coordinator under Vrabel, who was introduced as head coach last Monday.
Pees has 10 years of experience as a defensive coordinator, with the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots. In six of those years, his units finished in the NFL’s top 10.
LaFleur, who interviewed for the head coaching job before Vrabel was hired earlier this month, joins the Titans after spending one year as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, who ranked first in the NFL in scoring and 10th in total offense in 2017.
“I am excited to add both of these guys to our staff,” Vrabel said. “Dean brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to our staff. I have seen first-hand how he teaches and develops from our time together and I wanted to bring that same experience to our players here.”
“Matt brings an energy and an offensive diversity to our team. He is going to develop an offense that puts our players in position to have success. Matt has worked with some great offensive minds, helped game plan on those staffs and I am looking forward to seeing him take that next step as a play-caller.”
Pees, who announced his retirement last month, returned to the game for a chance to coach with Vrabel, who won three Super Bowl rings as a player with the Patriots. Pees, who has 45 years of coaching experience, including 14 years in the NFL, spent the last eight seasons (2010-17) with the Ravens, including the last six years (2012-17) as the defensive coordinator. He initially joined Ravens in 2010, as the linebackers coach.
Under Pees in 2017, the Ravens had a league-best three shutouts and 33 takeaways. The Ravens also ranked sixth in points allowed per game (18.9).
The 2012 Ravens team won Super Bowl XLVII and Pees became just the eighth defensive coordinator in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl with two different teams. Three (2014,’15,’16) of his six years as defensive coordinator for the Ravens resulted in top 10 rankings for the defense. Over his six-year tenure as Ravens defensive coordinator, the team ranked ninth in points/game (21.1), 10th in sacks (236), 8th in rushing yards allowed (103.4/game), fourth is rushing average allowed (3.88/attempt), 13th in third-down defense (36.9%) and 13th in interceptions (86).
Before joining the Ravens, Pees spent six seasons (2004-09) coaching for the Patriots. He originally joined the Patriots as linebackers coach, and his final four years he served as the defensive coordinator. In three of his four years (2007,’08,’09) as the defensive coordinator, the Patriots ranked in the top 11 in total defense. Over the four-year period, New England ranked second in the NFL in points allowed (17.3/game).
Before joining the NFL coaching ranks, Pees spent 25 years coaching in college. Among his stops was at Michigan State, where he served as defensive coordinator under head coach Nick Saban (1995-97).
LaFleur has a great track record with quarterbacks, and he’s been involved with some potent offenses. He’s expected to make a positive impact on Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.
The Rams led the NFL in scoring in 2017, averaging 29.9 points per game. The Rams finished 10th in the NFL in total offense in 2017 – 8th in rushing, 10th in passing.
In his first season with the Rams, LaFleur was instrumental in the development of quarterback Jared Goff, who threw for 3,804 yards with 28 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 2017 en route to reaching the Pro Bowl. Running back Todd Gurley led the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,093) in 2017, was second in rushing yards (1,305).
Prior to joining the Rams, LaFleur served as quarterback Matt Ryan’s QBs coach for two seasons with the Falcons. Ryan was named NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns for a 117.1 quarterback rating in 2016. In LaFleur’s first season with Atlanta, Ryan was also third in the NFL in completions (407), fifth in yards (4,591), and sixth in completion percentage (66.3).
LaFleur coached quarterbacks for the Redskins from 2010-2013, and he worked in Washington with QB Robert Griffin III, who became the first Redskins rookie quarterback selected to the Pro Bowl and led the team to its first NFC East title in 13 years. Under LaFleur, Griffin established Redskins rookie records in pass completions (258), passing yards (3,200), passing touchdowns (20) and rushing yards by a quarterback (815).
LaFleur has experience working with some of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL as he spent time with Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay.
LaFleur spent one season (2014) coaching quarterbacks at Notre Dame after his four years with the Redskins. He started his NFL coaching career with the Houston Texans as an offensive assistant (2008-09). Prior to joining the NFL coaching ranks, he spent time six years in the collegiate ranked at Ashland University (2007-08), Northern Michigan (2006), Central Michigan (2004-05) and Saginaw Valley State (2003).
CHS Basketball Splits Road Doubleheader with Lincoln County
Kicking off the final 2 weeks of the high school basketball regular season, Coffee County traveled to Fayetteville on Tuesday night to tangle with Lincoln County. The Lady Raiders kept their hot streak alive as they won 55 to 17. The Red Raiders struggled offensively as they fell 36 to 35.
After a slow start in the 1st quarter, the Lady Raiders’ defense held the Lady Falcons to 2 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters to stretch the lead to 28 points entering the 4th period. The win improves the Lady Raiders’ record to 20 and 2 on the year and 7 and 1 in district play.
The Lady Raiders were led in scoring by Abby Morgan who finished with 20 points earning the title of the Crazy Daisies’ player of the game. Jacey Vaughn added 13 points while Bella Vinson chipped in 8. Ashley Starks added 5 4th quarter points for Coffee County.
The boys’ game was tight throughout as neither team could open up a lead greater than 4 points. The Red Raiders were 0 of 5 at the free throw line in the 4th quarter as the Falcons got their game winning points on a pair of free throws after a technical foul called during a loose ball battle on the floor with 58 seconds remaining in the game. Coffee County turned the ball over in their final possession.
The Raiders were led in scoring by Darius Rozier who fouldd out late with 11 points. Grey Riddle finished with 8 points as he was named the Crazy Daisies’ player of the game. A.J. Rollman and Garrett Booth each added 4 points.
Coffee County travels to West Coffee on Friday for a district doubleheader with their old rival Tullahoma. The girls’ game is set to tip off at 6 PM. Thunder Radio begins live coverage with the Powers Storage Pregame Show at 5:50.
Download the game broadcasts at: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/
Alicean Stottlemyer Qualifies for State Wrestling Tournament
Coffee County senior wrestler Alicean Stottlemyer punched her ticket to the TSSAA Girls’ State Wrestling Championship tournament on Saturday. Stottlemyer claimed the state tournament berth after fighting to a 4th place finish at the TSSAA West Region Individual Tournament held at Nolensville High School. With the win, Stottlemyer becomes the first Lady Raider wrestler to compete at the girls’
state tournament.
After receiving a bye in the first round, Alicean got a pinfall win over Jasmine Chandler of Sycamore in the quarterfinals. Stottlemyer was pinned by Gabrille Neal of Cane Ridge in the semifinals. Needing a win in the consolation semifinals to advance to the state tournament, Stottlemyer got a 2nd round pin of Tullahoma’s Jessica Vazquez. In the 3rd place match, Alicean was pinned by Rylei Bohannon of Stewarts Creek.
The girls’ state individual tournament will held on Friday and Saturday, February 16th and 17th. The state wrestling tournament is held at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin.
CHS Wrestling Sweeps Home Tri-Match on Monday
The CHS wrestling team hosted a tri-match on Monday night at “The Dojo.” Playing host to Livingston Academy and Cascade, the Raiders captured a pair of dual wins. Coffee County held off Cascade 48 to 24 and dumped Livingston Academy 54 to 18.
Against Cascade, Coffee County got pinfall wins from Evan Jaynes(145 pounds), Josh Fourier(152) and Dakota Chalker(160). The Raiders also claimed forfeit wins from Andrew Lawson(170), Christopher Speegle(220), Hunter Massey(106), Mary Wolfrum(113) and Mary Anne Walker(120)
Against Liviningston Academy, the Raiders got pinfall wins from Evan Jaynes(145 pounds), Josh Fourier(152), Dakota Chalker(160), Andrew Lawson(170) and Reynaldo Reyes(195). Coffee County also got forfeit wins by Nicolas Martinez(182), Tyler Loren(285), Hunter Massey(106) and Mary
Wolfrun(113).
Chicago Blackhawks beat Nashville Predators 2-1
Anton Forsberg made 42 saves, and the Chicago Blackhawks stunned the Predators 2-1 in Nashville Tuesday night.
The Blackhawks came to town in last place but took a first period lead on a goal from David Kampf.
Kyle Turris scored Nashville’s only goal in the 2nd period to tie it up at 1-1. It was Turris’s 9th goal of the season.
Moments later, though, Vinnie Hinostroza beat Juuse Saros for the game winner. Saros finished the game with 29 saves for Nashville.
Roman Josi said, “Yeah, we couldn’t get enough goals. We could have started better, but after that it was a pretty fast game, back and forth, both teams had a lot of chances.”
The Predators host the LA Kings Thursday night.
Pete Weber’s Post Game Report
2/3/18 — Betty Jean Winton
Funeral services for Ms. Betty Jean Winton, age 95 of Manchester, will be
held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 2 PM at Central Funeral Home with
Eastern Star honors. Burial will follow in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be from 1 PM until time of service at the
funeral home. Ms. Winton passed away on Monday, January 29, 2018, at St.
Thomas Midtown in Nashville.
Ms. Betty was born on August 12, 1922, in Wilkes Barre, PA to the late
Charles William and Helen Reithoffer Ague. She was a housewife and a
life-long member of the Eastern Star, currently of the Hillsboro Chapter.
Ms. Betty was an avid Orchid grower. She loved reading, country cooking,
and she was very interested in politics, especially the last couple of
years. Probably her greatest love was animals, especially her Dachshund,
“Rudy”.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Betty is preceded in death by her husband
of 49 years, Lyona “Windy” Winton, who passed away in 2008, and her
daughter, Nancy Winton, who passed away in 2015, and her brother, Charles
Ague, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Gibson of Hillsboro and
her special nephew, Richard Ague and his wife, Patty, of Sugar Loaf, PA.
Central Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements
2/3/18 — Gloria Ann Ward
Gloria Ann Ward of Coffee County, Tennessee passed away Wednesday,
January 24, 2018 at the Southern Tennessee Regional Medical Center in
Winchester, Tennessee. Born in Jonesboro, Louisiana, on December 13, 1934
she was preceded in death by her parents; Maggie Arline Cathey Murphy
& James “Elmer” Murphy, daughter Cathey Ann Ward, siblings; Printis
Earl Murphy, James Leroy Murphy, Eva Dean Murphy Zerbe, Wilburn “Louie”
Murphy and Betty Jean Murphy Savage. She is survived by her devoted
husband of 60 years, Walter H. “Sonny” Ward of Tullahoma, TN; son, Eric
Christopher Ward & wife, Janine Marie Hall Ward, and grandson, Devin
Finley Ward all of Missoula, Montana; two brothers and their wives, Bobby
Stowe Murphy (Melba), of Jonesboro, Louisiana, and Michael Kent Murphy
(Janis) of Bienville Parish, Louisiana, plus several cousins, nieces and
nephews scattered all about the US of A. Ann was an outstanding mother,
cook and homemaker. Her cakes were her specialty, which her husband and
son can attest to. Although Ann was a devoted mother and homemaker and
outside of a part time job folding and stuffing the “Monday Market” paper
with some other ladies, she never worked outside the home following
marriage. Incidentally she really loved the time with the ladies doing
the “Monday Market” especially catching up on all of the local news and
gossip. Ann also found time to volunteer for church work
during the 25years she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. During
that time, she was one of the volunteer Secretaries that worked one day a
week and one of the Trinity Cradle workers before Trinity Cradle became
something else and moved from Trinity Lutheran
Church. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018
at Faith Lutheran Church from 10:00-11:00am with a memorial service to
immediately follow at 11:00am with Rev. Marty Nutter officiating. For
those who wish, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be
made to Faith Lutheran Church, 101 Bragg Circle, Tullahoma, Tennessee
37388.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
2/1/18 — Billy Charles Tate
Tate, Billy Charles, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Friday,
January 26th, 2018 at NHC at the age of 84. Mr. Tate was born in Fort
Payne, Alabama to the late Harry and Virginia Shipp Tate. During his life
he worked as a Machinist with A.R.O. and was a member of Highland Baptist
Church. In addition to his parents, Mr. Tate was preceded in death by his
wife, Imogene Tate; and two sisters, Toni and Jo. He is survived by his
sons, Alan and Brian Tate, both of Tullahoma; two brothers, Paul Tate and
his wife Becky of Jacksonville, Florida and Tom Tate and his wife Betty
of Peachtree City, Georgia; two grandchildren, Jason Haley and his wife
Debra and Chad Haley and his wife Janine; and four great-grandchildren,
Peyton, Alex, Savanna, and Gracee. Visitation for Mr. Tate will be held
on Thursday, February 1st, 2018 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 4:00-6:00pm.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either
Highland Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1195, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388 or
Hospice Compassus, 110 East Lauderdale Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee
37388.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
2/2/18 — Col. Max Lamont
Lamont, Col. Maximilian “Max”, of Tullahoma, passed this life on
Thursday, January 25th, 2108 at NHC at the age of 91. Col. Lamont was
born in St. Augustine, Florida to the late Albert and Elizabeth Burch
Lamont. He served as a PT Boat Combat Crew Member during World War II and
went onto serve during the Vietnam and Korean Eras as well. Col. Lamont
graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1949 and married the late
Hilma Anne Smeak shortly after. He served for 30 years as an Air Force
Officer and retired as a Colonel in September of 1979. Col. Lamont was
active in the Air Force Association and United Givers Fund of Coffee
County. He was a member of St. Barnabas Church in Tullahoma as well as
the Tullahoma Rotary, the Coffee County Election Commission and Lakewood
Golf and Country Club. In addition to his parents, Col. Lamont was
preceded in death by his wife Hilma Anne Smeak Lamont; and one sister,
Mary Wade. He is survived by two daughters, Hannah Lamont and her husband
Dr. William F. Messner of Freeport, Florida and Hilma Irene Lamont of
Loudon, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Heather Kidd and Adam Tambor; two
great-grandchildren, Dayanara E. Tambor and Jacob C. Tambor; and his
niece and nephew, Lamont Wade and Suzanne Wade. Visitation will be held
on Friday, February 2nd, 2018 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 3:00-5:00pm
with a memorial service to follow at 5:00pm with Father Michael Murphy
officiating. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donation be made
either to Virginia Military Institue, P.O. Box 932, Lexington,
Virginia 24450 or PT Boat Museum, Battle Ship Cove, 5 Water Street, Fall
River Massachusetts 02721.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
2/3/18 — Jerry Allen Haley
Haley, Jerry Allen, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Thursday,
January 25th, 2018 at his home at the age of 68. Mr. Haley was born in
Woodbury, Tennessee to the late Alonzo and Elva Ferrell Haley. During his
life he worked as a Computer Programmer with Sverdrup and loved NASCAR.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Haley is preceded in death by two
brothers, Kendall and David Haley; and one sister, Mary Teal. Mr. Haley
is survived by his daughter, Meredith Swann and her husband Jedd of
Decherd; two sons, Gregory Allen Haley and his wife Karen of Chicago and
Joshua Haley and his wife Sylvia of Austin, Texas; one brother, Wayne
Haley and his wife Helen of North Carolina; one grandchild, Calum Haley;
and three granddogs, Oliver, Olivia and Omaha. Visitation for Mr. Haley
will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 at Kilgore Funeral Home from
5:00-7:00pm.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.