Tennessee Titans president and CEO Tommy Smith is stepping down from his roles with the team after just two years.
Smith, who replaced long-time owner Bud Adams, shared an announcement claiming he wants to focus his career elsewhere on Adams Resources and Energy, Inc., according to NFL.com.
We have made some moves within the Titans organization, both on and off the field, that I believe will bring some very positive immediate results. There is a side of me that wishes I could continue to be heavily involved, but I will remain an avid Titans fan while leaving those decisions in the hands of professionals who are fully focused.
Until a permanent replacement is made for Smith, Steve Underwood, who managed the everyday operations for the team for six years until he retired in 2011, will run the team. For true Titans fans, the stepping down of Smith should be viewed as a positive thing due to the fact that he couldn’t wholeheartedly dedicate himself to overseeing the team while managing it from Houston.
The next task is for former owner Adams’ daughters to select the next CEO for the Titans. There were also rumors in the past that Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning was interested in buying the Titans to run after he retires. Smith, however, adamantly denied a couple of months ago that the franchise is up for sale.
As for the Titans, they really have nowhere to go but up after finishing with a 2-14 record—the worst in the franchise’s history, which came under Smith’s leadership. Perhaps under new leadership and possibly an upgrade at quarterback, the Titans, who have not made the playoffs since 2008, can edge toward future improvement.
Photo: USA Today