Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher resigns as USFL coach

Jeff Fisher stepped down from his third professional football head coaching position Friday when he resigned as coach of the USFL's Michigan Panthers.

The former Tennessee Titans coach, who still lives in the Nashville area, helped the league make its return after a 40-year hiatus when he was named coach and general manager of the Michigan franchise. He led the Panthers to a 2-8 record.

“I have made the tough decision to step away from coaching in the USFL to spend more time with my family, including our five grandbabies, and enjoying my semi-retirement to the fullest,” Fisher said in a release. “Coaching in the USFL has been an incredible experience, and I am firm believer the league has a tremendous future. I look forward to tuning in to FOX and NBC to watch the amazing teams compete this season on their road to a USFL Championship.”

Fisher, 64, spent 15 years as coach of the Tennessee Titans/Oilers and then five as coach of the St. Louis/L.A. Rams. He served as senior advisor of the Tennessee State football team on former Titan running back Eddie George's staff in 2021.

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Mike Nolan was hired to replace Fisher as coach of the Michigan Panthers.

“We are honored to welcome Mike Nolan to the USFL family as the new head coach of the Michigan Panthers,” said Daryl Johnston, executive vice president of football operations. “When Coach Fisher informed us that he needed to step down, we immediately started the challenging process to find another experienced, charismatic leader to replace him while at the same time, create excitement for Michigan Panthers players and fans as we open our Detroit Hub to start USFL Year 2."

Nolan, 63, returns to professional football’s top job for the second time after leading the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-2008. He’s held numerous coaching positions for 11 NFL franchises, mostly on defense. He’s looking forward to playing in Detroit in front of Michigan Panthers fans.

Fisher spent four decades as a football player and head coach, and is a recognized rules expert who spent years as a member of the NFL Competition Committee.