The Falcons had a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard receiver and 1,000-yard rusher in three of Mularkey’s four seasons between 2008 and 2011.
The Titans have started four rookies on offense this season, including Mariota who missed the last two games with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Tennessee currently ranks next to last in the NFL, averaging 17.9 points per game, and in total yards per game.
Mularkey said offensive coordinator Jason Michael will call plays, a job Whisenhunt previously handled.
“We dug a hole that we have to climb out of,” Mularkey said.
This is the first in-season coaching change for the franchise since 1994, when Jeff Fisher replaced Jack Pardee. Whisenhunt went 2-14 in his debut season, the worst record since 1994 for this team and a big dropoff from 7-9 in 2013 under Munchak.
An opening 42-14 win in Tampa Bay was the only victory in 17 games, and Whisenhunt was just 1-11 at home.
His .130 winning percentage with Tennessee ranks behind only Leeman Bennett with Tampa Bay and Rich Kotite with the New York Jets (4-28, .125) for the worst NFL coaching record since 1970 and tied Jim Ringo (3-20) of Buffalo, according to STATS.
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