NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Bud Adams prefers sticking with people he knows for important jobs. The Tennessee Titans owner did just that Monday, picking a safety from his franchise's old Houston days as his first new general manager since 1994.
Mike Reinfeldt started 102 consecutive games for the then-Houston Oilers between 1976 and 1983 and lost to Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game in the 1978 and 1979 seasons -- when the fans rallied around the phrase "Luv Ya Blue." He led the NFL with 12 interceptions in 1979.
Now Seattle's vice president of football operations, Reinfeldt was among seven candidates and three finalists to replace Floyd Reese, who resigned on Jan. 5, a month before his contract expired. Adams chose Reinfeldt and the opportunity to bring back a former Oiler to a team that relocated to Tennessee in 1997.
"He was a fabulous player for us, has been an outstanding football man at Seattle and Green Bay and I have every confidence that he will do a great job here as well," Adams said in a statement.
The Titans plan to introduce Reinfeldt at a news conference Tuesday.
Adams had not hired a new general manager since 1994 when he promoted Reese from assistant general manager. Reese resigned with a record of 111-102 that included the Titans' lone only Super Bowl appearance in January 2000.
Reinfeldt will have his hands full with the Titans, who are coming off an 8-8 season.
Tennessee has up to $36 million to spend when free agency starts March 2 to fill holes around Offensive Rookie of the Year Vince Young. Receivers Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade and defensive tackles Robaire Smith and Rien Long are among the free agents the Titans might want to keep from hitting the market.
Work on a new extension for coach Jeff Fisher also must be completed.
Reinfeldt started in the NFL as an undrafted safety out of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and played two games with the Oakland Raiders before being cut in 1976. The Oilers signed him, and he led the team in interceptions three different years. He still ranks seventh in franchise history with 26 interceptions.
His career after retirement has been even better.
He has a master's of business administration in management and finance and has worked in the front office for the Los Angeles Raiders, the Green Bay Packers and most recently with the Seahawks.
His teams have won six division titles, eight playoff berths, four appearances in the NFC Championship game, three Super Bowl appearances, a Super Bowl title in 1996 and 11 winning seasons with 131 wins.
