Titans promote sought-after execs Reinfeldt, Webster, Dawson

Published: Jan 18, 2012 at 06:18 AM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Owner Bud Adams believes the Tennessee Titans are back on track, compared to the turmoil of a year ago, so he has rewarded his front office with three key promotions, including a new general manager.

Adams announced Wednesday that general manager Mike Reinfeldt now is senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, with Ruston Webster promoted to general manager and Lake Dawson to vice president of player personnel.

Reinfeldt had been GM the past five seasons. Webster was vice president of player personnel the past two seasons after being hired away from the Seattle Seahawks.

Both Webster and Dawson had been mentioned as possible GM candidates around the NFL over the past two weeks. Dawson interviewed last week with the Rams about their vacancy.

"We have done what I think is a nice job of stabilizing our football operation over the last year, and this will solidify our operation even further," Adams said by telephone from Houston. "I like where things are headed, and this stability will allow our team to continue growing together. I know these moves will make our organization a better one."

Adams made it clear he wants one person reporting directly to him. That had been senior executive vice president Steve Underwood, but he retired last August. Now it will be Reinfeldt, who played for Adams with the then-Houston Oilers between 1976 and 1983.

Webster, who served as interim GM with the Seahawks at the end of the 2009 season, thanked Adams and Reinfeldt for his opportunity.

"This is a great place. I've enjoyed being in the organization and living in Nashville," Webster said. "For me, it's a very comfortable place to be."

Dawson also followed Reinfeldt from Seattle, joining the Titans in 2007 as director of pro scouting. He became vice president of football operations last season. Whether or not this promotion keeps him around remains to be seen.

"Lake, he's destined to be a GM here at some point," Webster said. "We're planning on him being around for a while."

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