Yesterday, the Titans began arranging second interviews for head coaching candidates. A trio of names emerged, but more will likely need to be added to the list. 
Kevin Stefanski was among the staffers Tennessee requested a foll0w-up interview with. However, his visit with Atlanta resulted in a deal being struck last night. Stefanski is thus off the market. The same could also be true of Jeff Hafley in short order. The current Packers defensive coordinator has increasingly been viewed as the frontrunner regarding the Dolphins’ HC opening.
The only other candidate to arrange a second interview with the Titans so far is Matt Nagy. That comes as no surprise, given the links between he and Mike Borgonzi stemming from their time together in Kansas City. Nagy is set to meet with Tennessee on Tuesday, and over the coming days the team’s group of finalists will no doubt come into focus. Another name to watch in that regard could be Robert Saleh.
The 49ers‘ defensive coordinator is seen as a “solid candidate” for Tennessee, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. Saleh is set to interview for the first time with the Titans today. San Francisco’s season ended last night, so Saleh will now turn his attention even further to the strong possibility of landing a second NFL head coaching gig. The 46-year-old led the Jets from 2021 though the first five weeks of the 2024 season.
Saleh returned to his previous role of guiding San Francisco’s defense this year, and his success in that capacity has once again made him a top HC option for many interested teams. Saleh has called plays during his second 49ers stint, something which was not the case when he served as a head coach in New York. As NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes (video link), things will change in the event of a hire during this year’s cycle. Saleh plans to call plays on defense should he wind up taking charge of a team for the second time.
Borgonzi was not in place when Brian Callahan was hired in 2024, making this his first offseason running a head coaching search. The former Chiefs staffer has drawn strong reviews from candidates so far in the process, as noted by veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. Borgonzi is playing a lead role in the interviews of Nagy, Saleh and any other candidates who receive a look, although owner Amy Adams Strunk will once again have the final say on a hire.
I would stay FAR from that ownership. Sticky fingers and they meddle in football decisions. The last thing I want as a football coach is to have some old hag tell me who to hire and who to draft.
I agree, but with this team moving into a new stadium, hopefully the owner can let the football people do their jobs. Saleh had a rough night last night but the Niners did stop the pass, not that the Seahawks needed to throw much.
Good game in NE but can Stroud avoid interceptions? He is lucky not to have three going into the second quarter. He just threw a TD pass.
He just threw another interception , this one run back for a TD.
Misogynist much? You are really pathetic
Ehhh…I really, really don’t like this fit. Saleh can be a good coach, methinks, but he is not going to have the offensive chops to develop an offense from the ground up while reinvigorating the defense and overseeing a cultural turnaround.
The Titans need a strong offensive candidate, but more importantly than that, they need a cultural shift. Unfortunately for an incoming coach, that can only truly happen with a reinvention at the top. Barring that, they need a coach who will get immediate results, or the Adams regime and management will make another change. A second year QB and a sparsely talented offense is going to have to be the catalyst, and only an offensive coach is going to take advantage of that.
Defensively, Saleh’s best talent (and overall the team’s best player) is Simmons, who is not exactly young and might be best as a trade piece with his age and talent factored in. Even on offense, Dike and possibly Okonkwo are the only intriguing pieces for a team. Ward is simply due to his draft status-the eye test was better than his stats, but statiscally, he was worst QB in the league by many measures. He’s going to need a dedicated offensive staff to set the track right for him, and if some coach other than the HC can do that (either as OC or some subordinate assistant), then that coach is going to get hired away from the team pretty much immediately in all likelihood…which means another adjustment for a young player.
It’s just not a good roster situation, a second year QB in need of major coaching, and the most volatile staffing environment in the NFL for a retread coach that will need time to effect any sort of turnaround that he has a chance to offer. With Strunk having proven her impatience, and the inability for any GM or coach to get results in recent years, I just don’t like the fit for a guy who might not get another chance…or for a team that desperately needs to redirect the career trajectory of its young 1st overall pick.
On the other hand, Saleh is thoroughly connected to the best source of offensive coaching talent in the NFL.
He is, but we’ve seen those connections fail (both in Shanahan’s case and others-Kafka and Nagy with Reid, and I’m sure you remember the days of “a friend of Sean McVay”). Saleh is likely counting on poaching that tree, but he doesn’t just need a coordinator-he needs someone who can run the offense totally. Most young up-and-comers are not that guy, at least not yet, and it’s likely that that’s the type of candidate that Saleh will be able to get.
If he can get someone who is the right coach, he’s probably better off bringing him to a better job. As a semi-joking observation, whomever they develop might look more impressive. You might earn more street cred for reinventing someone taken lower than a number one overall pick. I’m mostly kidding.
Was Saleh’s defense that good this past season?
It wasn’t exceptional…I think he should stay a 49er until he proves something.
As a Buccaneers fan…I will give you Todd Bowles for free…it is the least I can do for you Titans fans
His defense was excellent if you take into account the wild personnel problems he had to deal with. He schemed up some really shoddy talent and showed schematic versatility in doing it.
Getting back to this game, Stroud is still turning the ball over. He will win or lose this game.
I’d like Saleh with either the Ravens or Steelers. Titans need an offensive minded coach for Ward.
No on Saleh for the Steelers
Jeez, that Texans o line is horrible
Texans may need to think about Mills. Stroud is struggling with accuracy but they are on the move.
Sheesh Stroud …
They need to be interviewing some of the younger offensive and defensive coordinators. Matt Nagy should be a NO. He did a horrible job trying to develop Trubisky and KC offense regressed under him after Bienemy left… Grant Udinski is the guy I have strong interest in….