The Tennessee Titans announced on Wednesday that they have hired Texans offensive assistant Bruce Matthews as their new offensive line coach.
Two weeks ago, Matthews turned down a chance to become the Dallas Cowboys' assistant offensive line coach. The move to Nashville reunites him with new Titans head coach Mike Munchak, his longtime Houston Oilers teammate and best friend, and his son Kevin, who plays center for the Titans.
"For me this is an opportunity of a lifetime," Matthews said in comments distributed by the Titans. "It is such a unique opportunity to work with Mike because I think he will do a great job. It is just one of those things I couldn't pass up. Anyone who knows me knows how much I like spending time in Houston. For me to leave there and take this job, it shows you how much this means to me. I also will have the opportunity to coach my son which is very special. I want to thank the Houston Texans for giving me my first chance to coach and I appreciate all they did for me."
Matthews, 49, spent his entire playing career (1983-2001) with the Oilers/Titans franchise. He and Munchak played together from 1983-93, and Munchak was an Oilers/Titans assistant coach from 1994-2001. Matthews and Munchak are such close friends that they presented each other into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Matthews began his NFL coaching career with the Texans just two years ago. He worked under offensive line coach John Benton and assistant offensive line coach Frank Pollack, as well as assistant head coach Alex Gibbs in 2009.
"I really enjoyed my two seasons with the Texans," Matthews said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. "I learned a lot from Gary (Kubiak) and the other coaches. I loved working with the players. The more I did it, the more I knew that (coaching) was what I wanted to do."
The Texans' offensive line remains in good hands with Benton and Pollack. Along with offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, they helped the Texans average a team-record 4.8 yards per carry last season.
