The Titans‘ list of interview targets regarding their head coaching vacancy has continued to grow. Two of the top defensive candidates in this year’s cycle have received a slip from Tennessee. 
The team has issued an interview request with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter along with Rams DC Chris Shula, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In both cases, Tennessee loomed as one of the teams mentioned as a potential suitor during the early portion of the hiring cycle. Today’s update thus comes as little surprise.
Minter is currently preparing for the Chargers’ wild-card game against the Patriots. Likewise, the Rams will play the Panthers during the opening round of the playoffs. By rule, neither staffer is allowed to conduct an interview until next week. All first-round interviews (which will be virtual) must be completed before the start of the divisional round.
A defensive coordinator with various college programs, Minter’s first NFL opportunity came with the Ravens in 2017. After a four-year run in Baltimore, he returned to the college ranks. Minter, 42, spent a pair of years as Michigan’s defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh, then jointly departed two years ago to join the Chargers. Los Angeles has posted a top-10 finish in points allowed during both of Minter’s seasons in his current role.
Shula has also spent the past two seasons handling an NFL coordinator role for the first time. Don Shula‘s grandson has been with the Rams dating back to Sean McVay‘s arrival in 2017, however. Shula has worked his way through the ranks on Los Angeles’ staff, serving as a position coach and defensive pass-game coordinator prior to taking on the DC gig. The 39-year-old is younger than most candidates in this year’s pool, but he is a name to watch as the next McVay assistant with a strong chance of landing a head coaching gig. Shula has also been linked to the Giants, but this represents his first interview request.
As the Titans continue to seek out their full-time Brian Callahan replacement, here is an updated look at their search:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): To interview’
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Mentioned as candidate
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jason Garrett, former offensive coordinator (Giants): Interview requested
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Mentioned as candidate
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/7
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interview requested
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Mentioned as candidate
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): To interview
- Mike McCoy, interim head coach (Titans): To interview
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interview requested
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): To interview 1/12
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Mentioned as candidate
- Steve Sarkisian, head coach (Texas): Rumored candidate; expected to stay at Texas
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): To interview 1/10
Chris Shula isnt ready to be a HC … riding off his name, though he is getting better. Worry about helping the Rams get another championship.
As a Titans fan, Shula is my first choice. Think he is exceptionally talented as a DC and like that he is off the McVay tree. Based on that he may do well plucking an OC from someone in McVay’s world. And getting the right OC can be a problem for defensive coaches. There are some great coaches who started incredibly young. He is working for one of them.
I dont think he should shut out the teams who want to interview him and focus on the Rams. This is how it works. If you ever want a promotion and you are on a playoff team, now is the time you talk to those teams who want a coach that failed to make it.
“John Harbaugh, former head coach (Titans): Mentioned as candidate”