Jeff Fisher (American football coach)
Jeffrey Michael Fisher (born February 25, 1958 in Culver City, California) is a football coach, currently the head coach of the Tennessee Titans of the NFL. Jeff Fisher's overall record is 128-104.
Fisher's football career began at USC, where he was an all-American Defensive back under head coach John Robinson. He was drafted in 1981 by the Chicago Bears and used primarily on special teams until an injury in the 1985 season ended his playing career. He stayed on as an assistant to Buddy Ryan, and became Ryan's defensive coordinator in 1988.
Fisher served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1991 season and was hired as a defensive backs coach for the San Francisco 49er's in 1992. In 1994 he was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Houston Oilers (Eventually the Tennessee Titans). During the season, head coach Jack Pardee resigned and Fisher was appointed interim coach, posting a 1-5 record. The interim label was dropped after the 1994 season. In the 1995 season, Fisher posted a 7-9 record, followed by three straight 8-8 seasons.
After the 1998 season, it was thought that Fisher was on the hot seat. He responded by posting a 13-3 record and earning a wild card spot in the playoffs. The Titans then defeated the Buffalo Bills, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Jacksonville Jaguars to earn their first ever Super Bowl bid, where they lost to the St. Louis Rams 23-16. Tennessee WR Andre Dyson was tackled on the last play of the game one yard short of the tying touchdown. The Titans also posted a 13-3 season in 2000 but lost in the Divisional Round to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. Plagued by injuries in 2001, the Titans posted a 7-9 record. It was thought that Fisher was again on the hot seat when the 2002 Titans started 1-4, but the team turned things around to finish 11-5, losing in the AFC Championship to the Oakland Raiders.
The 2003 Titans posted a 12-4 record, losing in the Divisional Round to the New England Patriots. However, the team was forced by injuries and salary cap problems to begin a rebuilding phase during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, finishing 5-11 and 4-12, respectively. Fisher was once again thought to be on the hot seat when the Titans started 0-5 to start the 2006 season, but the Titans managed an 8-8 finish. During the 2007 Season, Fisher was rewarded with a contract extension that will keep him as coach through the 2011 season. The Titans earned a wild card spot with a 10-6 record, losing to the San Diego Chargers. The 2008 Titans are off to an 8-0 start, the first in franchise history.
Fisher is known for two factors: a strong defense and a powerful running game. He is the co-chair of the NFL competition committee and is known as one of the best coaches in the NFL.