Titans to hire Dean Pees as defensive coordinator

Titans rookie head coach Mike Vrabel is bolstering his coaching staff with a veteran defensive coordinator who coached him as a player in New England.

The Titans are hiring former Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees for the same position, an NFL source confirmed to The Tennessean on Monday night.

Pees, 68, has 45 years of coaching experience and owns two Super Bowl rings from his time with the Patriots and Ravens. He served as Baltimore's defensive coordinator for the last six years before announcing his short-lived retirement following the season. His tenure with the Ravens included a 34-31 victory over the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

The Ravens ranked in the top 10 in total defense in three of his six seasons, and led the NFL with 34 takeaways last season.

More: Titans better brace for Vra-ball, because it's going to hit hard

More: Titans lure secondary coach from Ohio State, first assistant to join Mike Vrabel's staff

More: How Titans coach Mike Vrabel plans to earn respect from his players

Vrabel has firsthand experience working with Pees, who served as the Patriots' linebackers coach from 2004-05 and defensive coordinator from 2006-09, overlapping with Vrabel's eight seasons as a player in New England.

Pees also has extensive experience in the college ranks, coaching at Findlay, Miami (Ohio), Navy, Toledo, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Kent State, where he served as the head coach from 1998 to 2003.

Pees' son, Matt, will join him on the Titans' staff. Matt Pees most recently served as the head coach at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, Colo., which posted its coaching vacancy on Twitter.

The Titans had previously offered the job of defensive coordinator to former Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher, who took the same position with the Giants.

Pees replaces Dick LeBeau, who was not retained after three seasons with the team.

The Titans' defense ranked 13th in the NFL in yards allowed this season. They were fourth against the run, 25th against the pass and 17th in scoring defense. The Titans also recorded the fifth-most sacks and allowed the fewest plays of 20 or more yards in the league. They were tied for 16th in takeaways.

Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.