Update: Titans confirm hiring of Matthews

Bruce Matthews has agreed to join the Titans as offensive line coach, joining the staff of his long-time best friend Mike Munchak in Tennessee.

TitanInsider was the first media outlet to confirm that Matthews had agreed to leave his assistant offensive line post with the Houston Texans to reunite with Munchak, reporting that on Tuesday morning. The Titans confirmed the story late Tuesday afternoon..

Matthews and Munchak, who presented each other at their Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies, played together with the Houston Oilers, and Munchak coached Matthews, whose playing career extended 19 seasons until his retirement after the 2001 season. Matthews spent the last five years of his playing career in Tennessee.

“For me this is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Matthews said in a release from 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.”

Kevin Matthews is a backup center for the Titans, who spent most of 2010 on the practice squad as an undrafted free agent from Texas A&M.

Munchak was equally excited about having Matthews back with the organization.

“I am very excited that we were able to work out something with Bruce,” Munchak said. “He is a great friend, but he also is a great coach. It should be an easy transition for him and our players. The system is one that Bruce is familiar with, and he will be able to pick up where I left off and make the group his own. I also believe the group could benefit from a new voice in the room. He has paid his dues as an assistant coach and is ready for this opportunity.”

Also, a source tells TitanInsider that Jerry Gray has agreed to interview with the club, and that a deal for Gray is on the table that is similar to the $1 million salary Chuck Cecil received for 2011. Gray is believed to be offered a three-year contract. He has to decide if he wants to leave his alma mater to join return to the NFL.