The Titans had already signaled their intention to make sweeping changes across the organization by the end of the 2025 season – their fourth in a row without a playoff appearance – by firing head coach Brian Callahan in October. The team finished 3-14 and entered the offseason to conduct its second coaching search in three years.
49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh emerged as the man for the job. He will be tasked with establishing a defensive identity and fostering the development of 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward. In the latter venture, he will be aided by new offensive coordinator and former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who previously oversaw ****Josh Allen****’s ascension in Buffalo. Newly empowered general manager Mike Borgonzi, who led the coaching search and now has final say on the 53-man roster, will be looking to give Ward more support on offense and find the right players for Saleh’s scheme on defense.
Coaching/front office:
Restructured front office hierarchy
HiredRobert Saleh as head coach
HiredBrian Daboll as offensive coordinator
HiredGus Bradley as defensive coordinator
Retained assistant HC/special teams coordinator John Fassel
HiredCarmen Bricillo as offensive line coach
HiredShea Tierney as quarterbacks coach
HiredGreg Lewis as wide receivers coach
Retained defensive pass-game coordinator/CBs coach Tony Oden
HiredAaron Whitecotton as defensive line coach
HiredMarquand Manuel as safeties coach
The Titans’ current woes date back to their decision to fire Mike Vrabel in 2023. It was baffling at the time and proved to be the wrong choice in 2025 when he took the Patriots to the Super Bowl. They replaced Vrabel with Brian Callahan, then the Bengals' offensive coordinator, and the team stumbled to a 3-14 finish with Will Levis and Mason Rudolph under center.
The silver lining of Callahan’s debut campaign as head coach was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, which the Titans used on Ward. He flashed upside as a rookie, but the lack of talent or a clear identity on offense was too much to overcome. Tennessee did not have an identity on defense, either, and it became clear that Callahan was not the right man for the job after a 1-5 start for the second year in a row. Senior offensive assistant Mike McCoy shepherded the Titans down the stretch, and the team began its rebuilding effort anew.
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