NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bud Adams has thought it over, and the Titans owner decided he isn’t ready just yet to part with Jeff Fisher.
“Jeff has meant a great deal to this franchise, and we have reached some incredible heights under his leadership,” Adams said Friday.
The decision comes two days after Adams agreed the Titans needed to part with Vince Young five seasons after he ordered the quarterback drafted. Young was 30-17, not counting his lone playoff loss, but he told off Fisher in front of the team after suffering a season-ending injury Nov. 21.
“Clearly I am pleased with the news (Friday),” Fisher said. “Presenting Mr. Adams with his first Lombardi Trophy is still the objective.”
Fisher, the NFL’s longest- tenured coach, is under contract for 2011 for $6.5 million. He has posted a 142-120 record since taking over as coach of the franchise during the 1994 season, but his playoff mark is just 5-6.
Sparano’s status in limbo
DAVIE, Fla. — The Dolphins scheduled a late-afternoon news conference to announce the retention of coach Tony Sparano, but the session was postponed 20 minutes before the scheduled start.
Nearly two hours later, the Dolphins rescheduled the session for today. A spokesman gave no reason for the postponement, leaving Sparano’s status in question.
The Dolphins’ cross- country courtship of Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh ended late Thursday, and he was hired Friday to coach the 49ers. With Harbaugh no longer an option, the Dolphins were expected to retain Sparano, who has one year left on his contract.
Sparano, who has a three-year record of 25-23, met Friday at the team complex with owner Stephen Ross and general manager Jeff Ireland, but there was no announcement regarding who will coach the Dolphins in 2011.
Waters returns to Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs guard Brian Waters returned to practice after missing two days with an undisclosed illness and appeared to be close to full strength for Sunday’s home playoff game against the Ravens.
Patriots place Wright on IR
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots placed defensive lineman Mike Wright on injured reserve after he missed the last six games of the season with a concussion. Wright had a career- high 5 1/2 sacks in 10 games.
Former Bengals coach dies
CINCINNATI — Bill “Tiger” Johnson, former head coach for the Bengals, died at his home in Fort Myers, Fla., after a long illness. He was 84.
