On Monday, the NFL coaching world saw its first casualty of the season. Head coach Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans was fired after five losses in six games. President of football operations Chad Brinker reasoned that he was relieved due to lack of sufficient progress on the field.
“We want to win as many football games as we can possibly win,” he expressed. “But we preached and talked about the growth, and we just have not seen the growth with the team to this point.”
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Brinker said the decision followed extended conversations with controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and general manager Mike Borgonzi. Callahan was informed after the team’s 20-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
He was hired in January 2024 after serving as offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals, the same season Titans ended with a 3-14 record.
Titans president Chad Brinker says “change was needed” from HC Brian Callahan “because we weren’t seeing growth.”
He says it was collective decision with GM Mike Borgonzi & owner Amy Adams Strunk.
“We drafted Cam Ward 1st overall & we need to see him grow as a football player.”
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 14, 2025
Callahan was brought in to help develop the young roster and particularly their quarterback room. But the offense has struggled to produce consistent gains. Tennessee management was not happy with the #1 overall pick, Cam Ward’s performance and development.
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Brinker thanked Callahan for his work. “Brian Callahan is a man of high character. He’s a good man, and he’s a good football coach. He has a wonderful family,” he said. “Amy has entrusted me to make tough decisions in this organization, and working with Mike and I, and meeting with her this morning, and talking through all of this, we just felt like this was the right time to make a change.”
Management named Mike McCoy as the interim coach. He was hired as a senior offensive assistant back in March.
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“What Mike (McCoy) brings right now is experience, leadership. He has done it before, and I’ve had respect for Mike for a long time. We have full confidence in Mike, that he is going to be able to steer the ship here.” Brinker added.
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