Jeff Fisher, Titans Recently Discovered They Just Weren't on Same Page

Apparently, Jeff Fisher decided he had enough.

And just as apparently, the Tennessee Titans decided they had, too.

Fisher, the Titans' coach since 1995, parted ways with the organization on Thursday, and Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reported that there were events in recent weeks that frustrated both sides.

Fisher, who the Titans announced would be retained shortly after the season, lost several assistant coaches in recent weeks, with defensive line coach Jim Washburn leaving for Philadelphia, running backs coach Craig Johnson leaving for Minnesota and defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil being fired.

With Fisher entering a lame-duck season, finding replacements was "an uphill battle," Wyatt cited sources as saying.

Wyatt also reported that the Titans' front office had become frustrated with Fisher's pace hiring replacemements. ESPN reported that Fisher had tried to hire his son, Brandon, as a quality control coach, and that that had been the deciding factor in the decision for Fisher to leave.

Fisher told Wyatt the report was "garbage."

Wyatt wrote that another incident caused "even more friction, according to sources."

"Fisher, who had complete control over coaching staff moves, revealed to management this week that he had signed about a dozen of his assistants, including Cecil, to one-year contract extensions in mid-December," Wyatt wrote, adding, "That led to a series of meetings and the decision that it would be best to part ways."

The Titans have a press conference scheduled Friday morning.

Mike Munchak, the Titans' offensive line coach the past 14 seasons, is considered a leading candidate for the head coaching position.

"I want to thank (owner) Mr. (Bud) Adams and the organization for a special 17 years," Fisher said in a statement. "I can't thank the fans enough for the support they showed us through the years; it has been a tremendous experience.

"We all did our very best and I think I can look back with fond memories and be very proud of what we accomplished. I want to wish the organization, the current players and the fans nothing but the best in the future."