Michael "Mike" Heimerdinger (born October 13, 1952 in DeKalb, Illinois) is a football coach in the National Football League. He is currently the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, a position he has served in since 2008. Prior to serving in this position, Heimerdinger was an assistant head coach for the Denver Broncos succeeding Gary Kubiak who took the head coaching position with the Houston Texans. He played wide receiver at Eastern Illinois University from 1970 to 1974 and was roommates with Mike Shanahan, and was receivers coach for Shanahan with the Denver Broncos, from 1995 until 1999. From 2000 to 2004, he was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans and offensive coordinator for the New York Jets for the 2005 season. Prior to that, he coached for Duke University offensive coordinator, Rice University offensive coordinator, Cal State Fullerton, University of Florida wide receivers, North Texas State, and the United States Air Force Academy.
At Tennessee, Heimerdinger coached players such as Steve McNair, Eddie George, Derrick Mason, and Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews. He helped head coach Jeff Fisher lead the Titans to the playoffs in 2000, 2002, and 2003.
He was hired by the Jets in 2005, as offensive coordinator, in what would be a disastrous season for the franchise. After the Jets' Head Coach Herman Edwards was released from his contract, Heimerdinger was interviewed (and passed over) for the head coaching position. Although it would become obvious he would have preferred to void his contract with the Jets, he would initially be informed by new coach Eric Mangini that he would be retained as offensive coordinator as per his original contract. He would later be released from his contract by the Jets as part of an undisclosed agreement. He would then take a position as the Denver Broncos' assistant head coach under Mike Shanahan, where he worked with quarterback Jay Cutler, transforming him into the Broncos' starting quarterback.
He returned to the Tennessee Titans as their new offensive coordinator, after the Titans fired Norm Chow.[1] He was hired to help develop quarterback Vince Young, who was drafted ahead of Cutler in the 2006 NFL Draft. Under Heimerdinger, veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, and a dominating defense led by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the Titans had a 13-3 record (best in the league) and won the AFC South title.
Mike has two children with his wife, Kathie. His childrens name are Brian and Alicia.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Les Steckel |
Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator 2000–2004 |
Succeeded by Norm Chow |
| Preceded by Paul Hackett |
New York Jets Offensive Coordinator 2005 |
Succeeded by Brian Schottenheimer |
| Preceded by Norm Chow |
Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator 2008–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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