On Sunday, Ray Horton shot down a report that he was “insulted” by the way the Titans handled his interview with the team for a promotion from defensive coordinator to their head coaching job.
Another part of that report was that Horton requested his release from his contract in Tennessee so that he could become the defensive coordinator for the Browns. Horton said “that is not true,” but a move back to Cleveland could still be in the cards.
New head coach Mike Mularkey said at Monday’s press conference that he and Horton had spoken and that Horton’s possible departure was part of their discussion. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the team has granted Cleveland’s request to interview Horton and that the interview will take place this week.
Horton spent the 2013 season running the defense for the Browns and moved on to the Titans after head coach Rob Chudzinski was let go after one year on the job. He also spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals, where he worked for head coach Ken Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt was also the head coach in Tennessee when Horton came to the Titans, but was fired during the season with Mularkey taking over as his interim and now permanent replacement.
