Nashville, Tenn. ? In a surprising move, the Tennessee Titans have parted ways with Jeff Fisher, who just completed his 16th full season as the NFL’s longest-tenured coach.

The team said in a release Thursday night that “Fisher will no longer be the head coach of the team.” The Titans announced the move within an hour of a report by SI.com that they were negotiating Fisher’s departure.

Though Fisher had been derided locally as “Coach .500” or “Coacho Ocho,” he seemingly had just survived a battle with quarterback Vince Young. Adams decided to either release Young or trade him on Jan. 5. The owner announced two days later that he would be keeping Fisher.

Fisher and Young never really jelled in five seasons together after the Titans drafted the former Texas standout with the third overall pick in 2006 under orders from Adams. The relationship frayed even as Fisher publicly defended Young until Nov. 21 when the situation exploded.

Young tossed his shoulder pads and other equipment into the stands after an overtime loss in which the quarterback suffered a season-ending injury.

Running back Chris Johnson said Wednesday while practicing in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl he didn’t think Fisher or Young could work together after “it hit the fan.”

In the end, neither Fisher nor Young survived with the Titans.

Even though Adams announced he was sticking with Fisher for the final year of his contract, the move meant Fisher would be coaching for his future in 2011. Fisher has repeatedly said he wanted to finish his career with the franchise, but the coach known for never losing his cool in public while hiding behind his sunglasses may have decided Adams’ decision wasn’t good enough.

A team spokesman did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press. Fisher did not answer a message left on his cell, and his agent also did not respond to messages from the AP.