Category: Sports

Mike Vrabel

When the Titans went searching for their next head football coach earlier this week, they were looking for a “leader of men.”

The organization has found that guy in Mike Vrabel.

On Saturday, the Titans and Vrabel agreed to terms on a contract to make him the team’s new head coach. Vrabel, who served as defensive coordinator with the Houston Texans last season, is scheduled to be introduced at a press conference on Monday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.

Vrabel was one of three candidates to interview for the job after the team parted ways with Mike Mularkey on Monday. The Titans interviewed Vrabel on Thursday in Nashville.

“I am excited to have Mike Vrabel joining our organization as our new head coach,” said Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk said. “In the interaction between Mike and Jon (Robinson) during the interview, you could see their connection right away from the history they have with one another – seeing the game in a similar way and talking the same language. Mike has a commanding presence and a deep knowledge for how he will attack this head coaching opportunity. Throughout his football career, he has played for, been mentored by and coached with successful teams and organizations. He knows what it takes to reach that level of sustained success – he has seen it first-hand. We have a chance to build on the solid foundation that we established over the past couple of years and I believe Mike is the right person to continue that progress.”

Vrabel, 42, has a great reputation in football because of his leadership qualities. From his playing days in college and the NFL to his time as an assistant coach, those around him have raved about his presence, and how others respond to him.

“This is an incredible opportunity and one I have been preparing for my entire football life,” said Vrabel. “I want to thank Amy, Jon and the entire Titans organization for putting their faith in me. I am excited to get to work and that work starts now. We want to build a culture around winning, competitiveness and toughness. Everything we do is going to be geared towards winning and being physical. We want to prepare our players so they know what to do, which will allow them to play fast and aggressive.”

Vrabel learned from one of the best in the game while playing for Patriots coach Bill Belichick in New England for eight seasons. He also played for the Steelers under coach Bill Cowher, he’s worked under Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, and Houston head coach Bill O’Brien.

Robinson, hired as the team’s general manager in January 2016 after spending time with the Patriots and Buccaneers in the NFL, knows Vrabel from his days in New England.

“I have always had a great deal of respect for Mike as a player and as a coach,” Robinson said. “I saw him up close as a player for the Patriots and saw how he prepared himself to be successful on a daily basis. He was the ultimate team-first player and he embodies that same mindset as a coach. He is intelligent, energetic, detailed and a leader whose deep passion for this game will resonate with our players. As a coach, I have seen him develop talent at both the college and NFL level, and put players in position for them to be successful. I am excited to get him in front of our team and watch us grow together as a team.”

At the start of the search, Robinson was clear when asked what he was looking for in the team’s next head coach.

“Leader of men,” Robinson said. “Obviously, the things that are stamped out there on those pillars, team-first, detailed, tough, dependable. One that’s going to, like I said, maximize the abilities of the players in all three phases of the game.”

Vrabel served as defensive coordinator with the Texans last season after serving as linebackers coach from 2014-16 with the team.

Prior to that he coached at Ohio State, where he served as defensive line coach (2012-13) and linebackers coach.

Vrabel played 14 NFL seasons, with the Steelers (1997-2000), Patriots (2001-2008) and Chiefs (2009-2010).

From 2014-16, the Texans defense ranked third in the NFL in net yards allowed per game (319.9) while Vrabel served as linebackers coach. DE/LBs Jadeveon Clowney earned Pro Bowl honors under Vrabel’s tutelage, and linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Brian Cushing were productive playmakers. In 2015, Texans linebackers combined for 22.5 of the team’s franchise-record 45 sacks.

In 2012, Vrabel coached four Ohio State defensive linemen who were either drafted into the NFL or signed free agent contracts. That year, Vrabel was also named ESPN.com Big Ten Recruiter of the Year.

Vrabel played on three Super Bowl-winning teams with the New England Patriots, where he played 2001-2008. He played in 206 games over 14 seasons, registering 722 tackles, 57 sacks, 42 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, 20 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and 12 touchdown receptions (as a tight end), including two in Super Bowls.

He was selected in the third round (91st overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Steelers, and he played linebacker and on special teams under Cowher.

Vrabel played linebacker, on special teams and even on offense under Belichick with the Patriots.

An Akron, Ohio native, Vrabel graduated with a degree at Ohio State in exercise science. He earned back-to-back All-America honors and was twice named Big Ten conference Defensive Lineman of the Year (1995 and 1996).

The Titans went 9-7 in 2017, and beat the Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card round before losing to the Patriots in the divisional round.

Prior to deciding on Vrabel, the Titans also interviewed Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur.

Kevin Fiala

Kevin Fiala scored twice and the Nashville Predators defeated the Florida Panthers, 4-3, on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena. The result extends Nashville’s win streak to five games – the first time they’ve posted multiple five-game win streaks in the same season since 2014-15 – and a lead in the Central Division once more.

Not only did Fiala contribute offensively, but his entire line – made up with Nick Bonino and Calle Jarnkrok – were all over the scoresheet. It’s just another example of different players stepping up over the course of Nashville’s win streak, a group doing whatever it takes to find two points.

“Just the character in the room and the people who are stepping up, whether it be Nick Bonino or Calle Jarnkrok or Colton Sissons or [Scott] Hartnell chipping in goals or [Anthony] Bitetto and [Matt] Irwin coming in and playing big minutes for us – it’s just that mindset that somebody has to step up and do it,” Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. “I think through the five games, that’s probably what catches me the most is that through a little bit of adversity our guys handled it really well.”

It took just 36 seconds into the contest for Fiala to pot his 12th of the season, beating Florida goaltender Harri Sateri, who was making his first NHL start. Florida came back to take a 2-1 lead before the opening frame was over, but Nashville didn’t waste much time getting back on the board.

Nick Bonino tallied his seventh of the season at the 1:23 mark of the middle stanza, and that was followed by a second strike from Fiala and then a blast from P.K. Subban for his 10th goal and 34th point of the season to tie him with Filip Forsberg for the team lead in scoring.

Florida got one more in the third to make it interesting down the stretch, but Pekka Rinne finished the night by making 37 saves in total for his 23rd win of the season and the 292nd victory of his career, and to keep the current home stand perfect thus far.

“Just being at home – obviously in the first half [of the season] we were on the road a lot – we wanted to take advantage of being at home, being able to sleep in your own bed and see your family and stuff like that,” Subban said. “So, we’ve just been managing our bodies and resting. There are no excuses for us to not come out with the right effort, and I feel like we have done that every game at home.”

The win sets up quite a matchup on Tuesday night when the Tampa Bay Lightning – atop of the NHL standings – come to Bridgestone Arena. And as far as the Preds are concerned, if they play to the level they know they’re capable of attaining, a win against anyone in the League is possible.

“We have a good team coming in this week,” Subban said. “We have to prepare. We have to get tons of rest and just get prepared. They’re one of the top teams in the League. We’re at home and we want to make sure we come out with the right effort again.”

Triple the Fun:

Nick Bonino and Calle Jarnkrok had themselves a night.

Both Predators forwards – skating on a new-look line with Kevin Fiala, who had two goals of his own – created offense all night long and were rewarded for their efforts.

It was the first multi-point effort for Bonino in a Preds sweater, while Jarnkrok notched his first-career, three-assist game and just his second three-point outing.

“I’ve been waiting for a game like this for a while,” Bonino said. “I think a lot of the times I’m passing, and it just hasn’t gone in the net. It gets frustrating, but as long as I’m winning faceoffs, blocking shots, and contributing in other areas, you can’t get too down on yourself. And tonight, obviously, it’s nice to see the puck go in a few times.”

For the trio being together for the first time, it sure didn’t seem like it. Fiala credits that to the skill level and versatility of both Bonino and Jarnkrok – both centers by trade – but players who can slot anywhere in the lineup.

“Those are two-way players: great defense and great offense, and they work hard,” Fiala said. “I think if you work hard, you get so many more chances. You’re going to get the puck back and create more chances, and that’s what we did today.”

After Saturday’s effort, that group is likely to find themselves together once more on Tuesday. And if their first outing was any indication, there may just be a little something special there.

“Getting Kevin [on that line] really helped,” Laviolette said. “Kevin’s on a roll right now with regard to offense. It seems like whatever line he goes on, that line is a pretty good line. Even last game, when he was with Johansen, I thought he did a good job. I think guys are moving around because of the absence of Filip [Forsberg]. We’re trying to put together lines that we think can score. Tonight, the line was a really good line. I thought Calle had a terrific game as well, so that line was dynamic offensively for a lot of their shifts.”

Notes:

Prior to Saturday’s game, forward Viktor Arvidsson was activated from Injured Reserve and forward Frederick Gaudreau was assigned to AHL Milwaukee.

Kevin Fiala had his first multi-goal game of the season.

Nick Bonino is now just one point away from 200 points in his NHL career.

Nashville will conclude their five-game home stand on Tuesday night when they host the League-leading Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena before jetting off to New Jersey on Thursday for their final game before the All-Star Break.

Pete Weber’s Postgame Report

Hazardous road conditions continue to impact several prep sporting events.

• Thursday’s CCMS home basketball game with Harris was postponed until Saturday. The JV games will begin at 4 PM with the varsity games beginning at 6 PM.  8^th Grade Night festivities will be held between the varsity games.
• Thursday’s CHS/CCMS Swim Meet at Sewanee was CANCELLED.
• Friday’s CHS wrestling match at Warren County was postponed until Tuesday, January 30^th.
• Friday’s CHS basketball game at Lawrence County will be played with a change in the schedule.  The girls’ game will tip off at 4 PM, with the boys’ game to follow.  Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast beginning at 5.
• Saturday’s Coffee County Youth Basketball Games WILL BE PLAYED.

Thunder Radio will keep you updated on cancellations and schedule changes as we get them.

After 2 weekends of cancellations, the Coffee County Elementary Basketball League will begin their postseason tournament on Saturday. The New Union girls and the College Street boys each finished the regular season with perfect 6 and 0 records and will have a first round bye in the tournament. The other 12 teams will be in action beginning at 9 AM on Saturday morning at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym at Coffee County central High School. The tournament semifinals will be held on Saturday, January 27th with the finals and the consolation games held on Saturday, February 3rd.
The complete schedule for Saturday is as follows:

Ryan Ellis

Ryan Ellis tallied a goal and an assist and the Nashville Predators defeated the Arizona Coyotes in a shootout, 3-2, on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena. It’s Nashville’s fourth consecutive victory and gives them 60 points on the season, good enough to retake first place in the Central Division.

It looked as though the last-place team in the League might collect their second win of the season in as many tries over the Preds, but Ellis’s late heroics, coupled with goals from Kyle Turris and Craig Smith in the shootout ensured the home team could collect two more points in the standings.

“I really thought it was a good team effort, a good group effort,” Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. “I thought our guys stuck with it, even when we got behind. They caught a break where they were able to slash through there and get in and were able to capitalize, but still we stuck with it. I have to give our guys a lot of credit.”

“It was a good character win,” Captain Roman Josi said. “We found a way, and that’s all that matters.”

The game’s first two periods almost went scoreless, but with less than two minutes to play in the middle frame, Ellis fed Scott Hartnell on a breakaway and the veteran forward deked around goaltender Antti Raanta to pot his 100th goal in a Preds jersey and give his club a 1-0 lead.

But just moments after Hartnell’s tally, Oliver Ekman-Larsson beat Pekka Rinne with 12 seconds to play to even the score after 40 minutes.

Brendan Perlini gave Arizona their first lead of the night with less than eight minutes to play in regulation, but a blast from Ellis at 17:24 of the third found its way to the back of the net. After a number of Nashville chances in overtime, the Preds solved Raanta twice more, while Rinne stopped three of the four shooters he faced to collect his 22nd win of the season.

“The way players are stepping up, it seems to be someone different every night,” Ellis said. “That’s what championship teams do. They find a way to win. It’s not always pretty. I thought tonight we did a lot of good things. Tonight was one of our better offensive games, but good saves, bounces, whatever it may be, it was a close game and we found a way to win.”

The Beard Is Back:

There’s no other way to put it – Ryan Ellis is an incredible hockey player.

After missing the first 39 games of the season with a knee injury, Ellis returned to the Nashville lineup two days into the New Year, scoring his first goal of the campaign in his second outing.

And on Thursday against the Coyotes, he first sprung Scott Hartnell on a breakaway before tallying one of his own to force overtime, playing arguably the largest role in Nashville’s win, just as he’s done so many times before.

“It’s great to have him back,” Laviolette said. “I’ve been talking about how good he’s been defensively, but he’s great offensively, too. He has been for us; he’s a big part of our offense. It’s nice to see him contribute the way he did tonight. He just settles things down on the backend and layers everything; [he adds] more depth. He played a really strong game tonight.”

“He’s got such a great slap shot, which is surprising, because he’s not very strong,” Josi quipped. “I’m kidding. But no, he has a great slap shot and he’s scored so many goals from that one-time position last year, and I’m sure he’s going to do the same thing this year.”

He’s already been stellar in his six appearances this season – the two goals and two assists, combined with solid defensive play, back that up – but as Head Coach Peter Laviolette alluded to, we’re just starting to see what Ellis will bring down the stretch.

“He’s catching a moving train,” Laviolette said of Ellis acclimating back into game shape. “I’m sure he’d tell you he feels good. Every time we talk to him he says he feels good, but I think his game will continue to get better as he plays more and gets more ice time.”

And even though Preds fans have seen it before, it’s oh so good to witness it again.

Notes:

Nashville has won their fourth consecutive game, the third time they’ve had a win streak of at least four this season.

The Preds are now 10-3-3 against the Pacific Division this season.

Nashville’s five-game home stand continues on Saturday night when the Florida Panthers come to town before concluding with a visit from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s snow event, and the hazardous road conditions that still exist, forced the cancellation and postponement of several prep sporting events.

• Wednesday’s CCMS home basketball game with North Franklin has been postponed.  Make-up date and time is TBD
• Thursday’s CHS/CCMS Swim Meet at Sewanee has been CANCELLED.
• Tuesday’s Temple Baptist Christian School basketball games in Calhoun, GA were postponed. Make-up date and time is TBD.
• Friday(1/12)’s CHS basketball game at Franklin County has been rescheduled for February 10th.

Thunder Radio will keep you updated on cancellations and schedule changes as we get them.

The young Raider wrestling team of Coffee County Central High School took their lumps on Monday night.  Coffee County lost all 3 of their matches in the 4-way match held at Tullahoma.  Coffee County dropped team decisions to Franklin County, Shelbyville and Tullahoma.

Against Shelbyville, Coffee County lost a 42 to 28 decision.  Andrew Lawson(at 170 pounds) captured the lone pin fall win for Coffee County.  Hunter Massey fought to a 17 to 7 major decision win in the 106 pound weight class.  Josh Fourneir(145), Mary Wolfrum(120) and Mary Anne Walker(126) each earned forfeit wins.

Against Tullahoma, Evan Jaynes(145) and Hunter Massey(106) got pinfall wins. Mary Wolfrum(120) and Mary Anne Walker(126) each earned forfeit wins.  Coffee County fell by a final score of 54 to 24.

Against Franklin County, Evan Jaynes(145), Andrew Lawson(170) and Josh Fourneir(145) all got pinfall victories.  Mary Wolfrum(120) and Mary Anne Walker(126) each earned forfeit wins.  The Raiders fell by a final score of 54 to 30.

Coffee County hits the mat again on Friday night when they travel to McMinnville to take on Warren County and LaVergne in a tri-match.  First match is set to get underway at 6 PM.

The search for the next Titans head coach is under way.

Titans general manager Jon Robinson said during a press conference on Monday the team “will begin the search immediately” to replace head coach Mike Mularkey, but he gave no timetable on when a hire might be made.

Earlier on Monday, Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk announced the team had decided to part ways with Mularkey.

“Our goal remains the same: We are committed to our fans, to bring a championship home to this great city and state,” Robinson said. “These decisions are never easy, yet Amy and I remain steadfast and the most important thing is the team, and putting our players in position to maximize their ability in all three phases of the game. I am very proud of the success we have had over the last two seasons and look forward to working with our new head coach and moving us closer to and ultimately winning a championship.

“I am looking forward to working with whoever the next head coach is and building upon what we have going here, and going forward with it. We are going into (the process) when no preconceived notions. We have a vision for what we want the next head coach to look like, and we are looking forward to talking to candidates and seeing if they fit that bill.”

Robinson said the decision was made on Monday morning, when Mularkey was informed of the team’s decision. He said a “lot of factors” went into the organization’s decision to go in a different direction. Robinson said “it was not an easy decision” or “a gratifying decision for me.”

Robinson said the Titans have already started the process of identifying candidates. He expects to have a strong input on who the next head coach will be, but reminded Strunk owns the team and she’ll make the final call. Titans president/CEO Steve Underwood will also take part in the interviews, Robinson said, and he was with Robinson when Mularkey was informed of the decision this morning.

“Leader of men, obviously the things that are stamped out there in those pillars – team first, detailed, tough, dependable, and one that is going to maximize the abilities of the players in all three phases of the game,” Robinson said when asked about the qualities he’s looking for in a head coach.

Mularkey was named head coach of the Titans on January 16, 2016. He served as interim coach for the final five games of the 2015 season.

The Titans went 9-7 in back-to-back seasons, and made it to the playoffs in 2017. The Titans lost in the AFC divisional playoffs on Saturday to the Patriots.

Questions about the development of quarterback Marcus Mariota and the team’s inconsistent offense were persistent throughout the course of the season, however.

“I think we’ve done a lot of good things here over the last two years. I just felt like we needed to go a different direction and maximize the skill sets of the players. I think this boils down to doing what we think is best for the football team moving forward, and taking the next step,” Robinson said. “At the end of the day, we felt like we needed to go down a different path to move forward.”

Robinson said the Titans have a talented roster, and he’s optimistic about the future.

“I love our fans, and I think I made that abundantly clear in my opening statement when I was sitting here less than two years ago (when I was hired) about what this team means to me, what this city means to me and what this state means to me,” Robinson said. “There is nothing more that I want for our fans than to bring a championship here, and I feel like it is my charge to put the team in the best position to do that.”

Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators

Juuse Saros stopped all 43 shots he faced and the Nashville Predators defeated the Vegas Golden Knights by a 1-0 final on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena. It’s Nashville’s third consecutive win overall and their first victory in franchise history against the expansion club from Vegas.

Nashville’s lone goal on the night came from Kevin Fiala exactly eight minutes into the third period, as Saros put forth quite possibly his best NHL effort to date to registers his fifth win of the season and third shutout in his last five starts.

“[Saros] was unbelievable tonight,” Predators forward Austin Watson said. “We had some penalty kills there at the end of the second period that really could have changed the game in the wrong direction for us, and we were really able to shut the door with him backstopping it. It was a really good two points.”

The first 40 minutes of the contest were scoreless, but that wouldn’t have been the case if it weren’t for the stellar play of Saros, who stopped 30 Vegas shots through the opening two periods.

Then, midway through the third, P.K. Subban’s shot bounced off the pads of Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and right to Fiala, who had a wide-open cage with which to work. Fiala’s shot snuck in under the bar to give Nashville the one and only lead they’d need. The regulation loss was just Vegas’ third since Dec. 1.

“Right now, the second-half is very important to us, to the whole team, to every line,” Fiala said. “We just need to go in and build more chemistry, win more games, and build more confidence.”

The victory also came without the services of three of Nashville’s top players. Forward Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson were absent from the start due to injury, and center Ryan Johansen was forced to leave after taking a hit late in the second period.

But even without most of their aces up front, the Predators found a way, and encouraging sign at the unofficial start of the second half of the campaign.

“It’s what you have to do,” Watson said. “We’re confident. It’s kind of what we talked about all last year during the playoffs. Whoever’s playing, whoever gets the minutes, we’re confident in everybody in this room and we’re going to get the job done. When you’re missing those guys, they’re spectacular and create a lot of offense for us, but we have a lot of good hockey players in here to step up and take those minutes.”

On the coldest night of the winter in Nashville, the goaltending performance in the Preds crease was anything but.

After a shaky start to the season as Pekka Rinne’s backup, Preds goaltender Juuse Saros has posted a 4-0-3 mark in his last seven outings, more than enough to reinstate his confidence and give the Preds a formidable one-two punch in net.

As the bye week arrived last Tuesday, instead of heading off on vacation like the rest of his teammates, Saros made the journey back to Milwaukee to play three more games for the Admirals, with the plan – as Predators Head Coach Peter Laviolette explained – of keeping Saros sharp and ready to face the top team in the Western Conference come Tuesday.

It worked out just fine.

“He’s been good for a while now,” Laviolette said of Saros. “He’s been solid, he’s gone down to Milwaukee, he’s played games, he’s been solid down there. Every opportunity he’s gotten in the net he’s looked great. Tonight was just another example of that.”

“Unbelievable,” Fiala said of Saros. “Not just today, he’s been unreal this whole season, Pekka too. They save us games. It’s just great to have and great to know that we have such great goaltenders.”

Saros has blanked the opposition in four of his last six appearances, including three shutouts, but as Saros will tell you, it’s nothing to fuss over.

“I’m just trying to play my own game,” Saros said. “[I’m trying not to] think too much and to go out there, have fun and do the best I can.”

Notes:

Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Preds placed forward Viktor Arvidsson on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury and recalled forward Frederick Gaudreau from AHL Milwaukee.

Preds center Ryan Johansen took a high hit late in the second period and did not return to the game. There was no update on Johansen’s status immediately following the contest.

The 43-save performance tonight from Saros is just three saves off of his career high for a single game.

Nashville’s five-game home stand continues on Thursday night when the Arizona Coyotes come to town, followed by Florida on Saturday night before concluding next Tuesday with Tampa Bay.

Pete Weber’s Postgame Report

If you want to see the Motlow Lady Bucks play softball early this season you are going to have to travel, as the Lady Bucks will spend the first month of the 2018 campaign on the road.

Practice officially began Jan. 10 for the Lady Bucks under third-year Head Coach Janice Morey. The season opens Tuesday, Feb. 6, with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Northeast Mississippi in Booneville. Motlow’s first 18 games will be played on the road, including trips to Decatur, Ala., and Meridian, Miss. The Lady Bucks will open conference play on the road at defending TCCAA champion Chattanooga State March 2.

The Lady Bucks will finally play in front of their home crowd on Tuesday, March 6, when Calhoun visits for a 1 p.m. doubleheader. Including the Calhoun date, 24 of Motlow’s final 36 games are scheduled to be played at Lady Bucks Field on the Moore County campus.

Motlow will play nine TCCAA conference series, with five at home and four on the road. Each conference series consists of a doubleheader on both Friday and Saturday. The first home conference series is March 9-10, with Cleveland State visiting.

The Lady Bucks have 10 consecutive games scheduled at home from March 20-31. The following two weekends they are on the road before finishing the regular season with back-to-back home series against Walters State and Southwest Tennessee, with the final play date scheduled for April 28. This year’s conference tournament will begin May 6 at Chattanooga State.

The complete schedule can be found at: http://www.motlowsports.com/softballschedule.aspx