Floyd Reese obit

Current and former Titans, rest of NFL mourn passing of Floyd Reese

He was not on the list.

Current and former Tennessee Titans, as well as the rest of the NFL, are mourning the passing of former general manager Floyd Reese after it was announced he had died at the age of 73 on Saturday after a battle with cancer.

Reese held multiple positions with Tennessee, but saw the most success as its general manager, where he helped build the team that made the franchise’s only Super Bowl appearance. And, deservedly so, Reese was set to be inducted into the Titans’ Ring of Honor in 2021.

Upon learning of his passing, Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk and general manager Jon Robinson shared their thoughts and expressed their condolences, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.

“This is a sad day for our Titans family,” Strunk said. “I would like to send along my deepest condolences to Floyd’s wife, Sally, to his children, grandchildren and extended family. Floyd spent over two decades with our franchise in a variety of roles – position coach, assistant general manager and ultimately, general manager – and he excelled at all of them. As general manager, he built a team that saw sustained success and helped guide our franchise in the toughest of times and the highest moments. His keen eye for talent led him to some of the best players in our team’s history, which led the team to some of our greatest accomplishments. We look forward to remembering and honoring his legacy this season as he is formally inducted into our Ring of Honor.”

“I’m saddened to hear about the passing of Floyd Reese and my heartfelt condolences go out to Ms. Sally, the family, and all that were close to him,” Robinson said on Saturday. “He was a great man. He loved his family, he loved football, and he loved the Titans. I learned a lot from him, he was always willing to listen, and he wanted to pass on his knowledge of the game to me and so many others. I’m forever grateful that I could call him a friend. Thank you for everything Floyd, I’ll see you again someday!”

The man who coached that Super Bowl team Reese was responsible for building, Jeff Fisher, also reflected on his life and overall impact.

“Yesterday we lost one of the greatest football teammates anyone could ever have,” Fisher tweeted. “Floyd Reese was an exceptional human being — dedicated, driven and committed to his family, friends and football. My prayers are with Sally and the Reese family.”

In 1990, Reese was promoted to the position of assistant general manager for the Oilers following an offer from Jerry Glanville, then head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, to join the Falcons as assistant head coach. Bud Adams wanted to keep Reese with the Oilers so he offered Reese the position of assistant general manager and the opportunity to one day replace Mike Holovak, then-Oilers general manager. Reese held that position until 1993.

In 1994, Reese was promoted to executive vice president and general manager, where he stayed while the Oilers moved to Nashville, Tennessee, first as the Tennessee Oilers, then as the Tennessee Titans. He added the role of director of football operations in 2001. After disputes with Adams and coach Jeff Fisher about the direction of the team (Fisher wanted more control in drafts), and realizing that Adams was not likely to offer him a new contract,[citation needed] Reese resigned his position with the Titans following the 2006 season, despite amassing the most wins (111) of any Oilers/Titans general manager.

Following his departure from the Titans, Reese joined ESPN as an NFL analyst and writer for ESPN.com.

Other former Titans and many more took to social media to mourn Floyd’s passing, which made clear that his impact was felt far and wide.

Buck Reising - Heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend and former co-worker at 1025 TheGame Floyd Reese. Was incredible to work with & learn from him at the very start of my career.

John McClain So sad to learn about the death of longtime Oilers assistant coach, assistant GM and GM Floyd Reese after a lengthy battle with cancer. I met Floyd in 1986 when Jerry Glanville hired him to coach LBs. They called him "Sarge" cause he coached them like a Marine drill instructor.

Nashville Predators - Floyd Reese was a Nashville legend, beloved by fans all over our community as GM of the @Titans and on our airwaves as a sports radio host for @1025TheGame.  The Predators extend their deepest condolences to Floyd’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Chris Mortensen - Another one the good people. Floyd Reese. RIP.

Frank Wycheck on Floyd Reese: "I loved that man. Took a chance on me when no one else would. I never wanted to let him down. He kept us together during our peak years. I will miss him. Thoughts and prayers go out to Sally and his children.

Kevin Mawae - Will be forever grateful for Floyd Reese bring me to the @Titans .  Condolences to his family #TitanUp

Vince Young - R.I.P Floyd Reese!! Thanks for the opportunity and taking a chance on me!!

As a general manager, Reese drafted three NFL Rookie of the Year Award winners among his 11 first round draft choices: running back Eddie George in 1996, defensive end Jevon Kearse in 1999, and quarterback Vince Young in 2006. Reese also drafted NFL co-MVP quarterback Steve McNair.

Reese was a three-year letterman and three-year starter (making 28 of 30 starts) for the University of California, Los Angeles. He was voted UCLA rookie of the year in 1967.

Reese was part of a Bruins defense that gave up only 103 points (ninth best in school history) and posted an 8-1-1 record his senior year. Reese was an All-American in 1969. He was voted the team co-MVP in 1969 (along with quarterback Dennis Dummit) making him the only defensive player ever to win the award. Reese was also one of UCLA's tri-captains as well as All-Pac-8. He was voted to the Los Angeles Times All-Time UCLA team in 1970. Reese played in the Hula Bowl after his senior season and was voted the game's outstanding lineman.

Reese played one season in the Canadian Football League (1970) for the Montreal Alouettes. He signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 1971 but did not play and decided to move into coaching that same year.

Reese was an assistant coach at UCLA from 1971 to 1973 and with Georgia Tech in 1974. He was in charge of the Detroit Lions' strength and conditioning with head coaches Rick Forzano and Tommy Hudspeth from 1975 until the latter's dismissal with his entire staff on January 9, 1978. He moved to the San Francisco 49ers as strength and conditioning coach in 1978. Reese became the Minnesota Vikings' linebacker coach and special teams from 1979 though 1983 and was the Vikings' defensive coordinator in 1984. He returned to the post of linebacker coach in 1985. The next season, Reese began a four-year stint as linebacker coach for the Houston Oilers.

Led by the likes of Steve McNair, Eddie George, Derrick Mason, Kevin Dyson and Jevon Kearse, all of whom Reese selected in five successive drafts, and head coach Jeff Fisher, who Reese hired in 1995, the Oilers/Titans went from a 2-14 outfit in 1994 to 13-3 AFC champs in 1999, one yard and change away from a Super Bowl title.

Reese left the organization in 2006 with a 106-102 regular season record and a 5-4 record in the postseason. His 111 total wins are the most of any Oilers/Titans general manager. The franchise made four postseason appearances (in five years), won two division titles, made two AFC Championship Games and reached one Super Bowl during his reign.

Reese concluded his NFL career as a senior football advisor for the New England Patriots from 2009 to 2012. Bill Belichick mourned the passing of Floyd Reese.

He was slated to be inducted into the Titans Ring of Honor, alongside Fisher and Bum Phillips, this season.