The Titans’ decision to hire Brian Callahan naturally put one of this era’s best offensive line coaches in play to trek to Nashville. That will now come to fruition.
Brian Callahan will add his father, Bill, to his first Titans staff, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports. The Titans requested permission for a Callahan-Callahan meeting about the job, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. As strange as that sentence looks, the Browns could have blocked this partnership from taking place; they are not expected to do so.
[RELATED: Titans To Hire Nick Holz As OC]
Naturally one of the more interesting position coach hires in recent years, Bill Callahan leaving for Tennessee would stand to bring an upgrade for Ran Carthon‘s team. Pro Football Focus ranked the Titans’ O-line last in 2023. This came after an offseason overhaul removed veterans from the equation. Left tackle Andre Dillard struggled, and PFF did not view ex-49ers starter/swingman Daniel Brunskill as effective at right guard. The Titans are expected to release Dillard soon, while other changes are likely on tap. Callahan will take over the mentorship of 2023 first-rounder Peter Skoronski, who is on the radar to move to left tackle this offseason.
The former Raiders HC has settled back in as an NFL O-line coach following his dismissal as Nebraska’s HC in the 2000s. Callahan was in place with the Cowboys in 2014, as the team added Zack Martin to its impact collection of young talent — a group that included Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Ronald Leary. Bill Callahan spent the past four seasons in Cleveland, and the Browns have rolled out one of the NFL’s best O-lines in that span.
Ex-Bills draftee Wyatt Teller morphed into a Pro Bowler in Cleveland, while perennial Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio added two first-team All-Pro distinctions under the elder Callahan. Even as injuries battered the team’s tackles, the Browns were able to provide enough protection for November pickup Joe Flacco to salvage a playoff run.
Callahan, 67, canceled an interview for the Jets’ OC job last year upon signing a Browns extension. That deal is believed to have paid him more than $3MM per year, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer. That is a lofty salary for a position coach, illustrating Callahan’s value to the Browns. It is worth wondering if he will accept a pay cut to join his son. The Callahans have not previously been on the same NFL staff, setting up an interesting chapter.
Additionally, the Titans are bringing in veteran wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, according to NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. Tolbert coached alongside Brian Callahan in Denver during the 2010s. Both were on Denver’s staff from 2011-15, with Tolbert overseeing the development of Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Emmanuel Sanders during that span. Tolbert, 56, spent the past two seasons with the Bears in the same position. Making changes to their offensive staff, the Bears fired Tolbert last month.
As they make changes to start Brian Callahan’s run, the Titans are moving on from outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow and inside linebackers coach Bobby King, according to veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. Crow spent six seasons with the team under Mike Vrabel; King was in Tennessee over the past three years.
Six-year Titans defensive line coach Terrell Williams is out as well, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes he has already found a new gig. The Lions are hiring Williams as their run-game coordinator on defense. An NFL assistant since 2012, Williams was on the Dolphins’ staff during Dan Campbell‘s 2015 season spent mostly as Miami’s interim HC.
One of the most appealing things about Callahan as a candidate was that he might bring his father. The Titans need to bring in a lot more offensive line talent to be coached, but he’s one of the best you could have coaching them.
I know Skoronski doesn’t have ideal arm length, but I think it’s silly to not at least give him a shot at tackle. I’d still probably use that top pick on tackle this year, too. They should be in position to get Alt or Fashanu.
I doubt that Brian possibly hiring his dad to coach the line was even in the top ten of reasons why the Titans hired him. I’d imagine it’s just a bonus.
I would say with 95% certainty that part of the appeal of an offensive coordinator who’d never called plays before as a head coach candidate was that he was likely to bring his hall of fame offensive line coach father with him to the team with perhaps the very worst recent offensive line track record.
He’s a great O-line coach and the Titan’s line was horrendous last season. Difference making hire.
Callahan is a legend with his O lines. I always wished the Redskins had been able to keep him.
But damn it would’ve been the funniest thing if the Browns blocked him from interviewing with his son. Also, his son interviewing him in and of itself is pretty funny. I wonder what he asked him.
“So, where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
“What makes you think you’re a good fit here?”
Nice staff forming in Nashville
Between Tolbert and Bill Callahan, the younger Callahan is forming a really good staff
Now the Titans just need to make a Sudden Impact and add Harry Callahan to the staff so he can pace along the sidelines saying “Make my day”.