Adams family sought change atop Titans, sources say

Tommy Smith's decision to retire as CEO of the Titans was made in part because of an apparent shift in thinking within the family-owned NFL team, according to sources familiar with the situation.

As a result, the Titans are looking for a new president/CEO who will be based in Nashville after the Houston-based Smith served just 17 months on the job.

Smith, son-in-law of the late Kenneth S. "Bud" Adams, was named the team's chief decision maker following the death of the long-time Titans owner in October 2013 and after other family members appointed Susie Adams Smith, his wife, as controlling owner. The NFL signed off on the provisional agreement unless other owners withdrew their consent.

Susie Adams Smith and Amy Adams Strunk, daughters of Bud Adams, have 33 percent ownership each of the parent company which owns the Titans. They are also co-chairpersons. The family of Adams' deceased son, Kenneth Adams III, also has one-third ownership — his grandsons, Kenneth IV (11 percent) and Barclay Cunningham Adams (11 percent), and their mother, Susan Lewis (11 percent).

According to league sources, there was no longer a consensus among ownership that Susie Adams Smith should be the controlling owner, which contributed to Tommy Smith stepping down.

On Friday, the Titans installed former team executive Steve Underwood to serve as interim president until a permanent replacement is selected.

Tommy Smith and other family members could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Underwood, scheduled to attend NFL owners meetings in Arizona this week, also was unavailable for comment. Amy Adams Strunk and Kenneth Adams IV, who is on the team's board of directors, are also scheduled to attend the owners meetings, sources said.

On Friday, Smith told The Tennessean he was retiring because of the demands of the position and health concerns. He also serves as president and chairman of publicly traded Adams Resources and Energy, Inc. Sources indicated the demands of both jobs made things difficult for Smith.

"It's a personal decision for me. I will be 64 in a few weeks and I want to spend my energy where it's needed most," Smith said. "We are in good shape. We have good people. I think the future is bright for the team. Everyone is proud of our ownership position. I think our team is headed in the right direction."

Smith reiterated on Friday there are no plans to sell the franchise, which Bud Adams founded in 1960 as the Houston Oilers.

Since taking over as president/CEO in October 2013, Smith made numerous changes and recently promised more, which made the timing of his retirement unusual.

Smith dismissed coach Mike Munchak and hired Ken Whisenhunt to replace him in January 2014. He also made several changes on the team's administrative staff.

More recently, Don MacLachlan resigned as executive vice president and former Nashville Predators executive Bob Flynn was hired to replace him as head of facilities. Flynn will be in charge of enhancing game-day operations, which Smith consistently stressed as important.

Within the last six weeks, Smith sent letters to season ticket holders, promising more changes following a 2-14 season, the worst since the franchise moved to Nashville in 1997.

"I can assure you this: I am committed to making this thing right," Smith told The Tennessean in December. "And we are going to build a team that this town and the fans can be proud of. I am going to build an organization and a team that is going to be known for winning, not losing."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.