NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Floyd Reese, the winningest
general manager in the history of the Tennessee Titans,
announced his resignation on Friday.
Reese's contract was set to expire next month and the Titans had
yet to offer him an extension.
"Initially, I had hopes of signing a contract extension and
staying with the Titans for many more years, but it became
apparent to me over the last several months that that would be
difficult," Reese said. "Rather than drag out a process that
would probably end up with us going our separate ways, the right
thing to do is to cut ties now and let the Titans move on and
me as well."
Reese has served as the team's GM for the last 13 years. In
that period, the Titans won 111 games, reached the AFC
championship game twice and the Super Bowl once. Between
1999-2003, the Titans posted the NFL's best record with 56 wins
- an era of success that is unmatched in franchise history.
Reese actually joined the franchise when it was the Houston
Oilers as a linebackers coach in 1986. He became the team's
assistant general manager in 1990 before being promoted to
general manager in 1994.
"I want to thank Floyd for his 21 years of service to this
organization," Titans owner Bud Adams said. "During his time as
a coach and front office executive, our franchise experienced a
number of memorable moments.
"It is hard parting ways, but I am confident that change will be
good for everyone involved."
During the 1994 campaign, Reese fired coach Jack Pardee and
hired Jeff Fisher, who remains the team's coach. With Bill
Cowher resigning as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday,
Fisher now has the longest active coaching tenure with one team.
This past season, Reese selected Texas quarterback Vince Young
with the third overall pick in the draft instead of Matt
Leinart. Young was named as the AFC Offensive Rookie of the
Year and the Titans went 8-5 with him as the starter. They were
8-8 overall with one of the league's youngest rosters.
Tennessee on Friday also fired director of scouting Al Smith,
who has served in the team's front office for the last nine
years.