Titans To Retain STC John Fassel; Team Firing Dennard Wilson, Nick Holz
New coaches coming in regularly leads to coordinator changes. Kevin Stefanski‘s decision to retain Jeff Ulbrich as Falcons DC is the exception, not the rule. It should come as no surprise, then, that Robert Saleh is starting anew with his top coordinator positions.
Saleh will not retain Titans OC Nick Holz or DC Dennard Wilson, according to veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. Both were Brian Callahan hires who finished out the season in their respective roles, with Callahan being fired in October. Saleh, however, is not canning the entire staff.
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John Fassel is staying on as special teams coordinator, Kuharsky adds. Also a Callahan hire, Fassel carries considerable experience. The former Raiders, Rams and Cowboys’ ST coordinator (and Los Angeles interim HC), Fassel joined the Titans in 2025. His contract runs for at least one more season, per Kuharsky.
The son of former Giants HC Jim Fassel, John has been an NFL ST coordinator since 2008. The Rams retained him in the role for eight seasons (2012-19), while the Cowboys employed him as such for the next five. It was believed Fassel had clamored for a head coaching interview, joining Wilson in that regard, but nothing happened. Still, he will be back under new leadership.
It is certainly not surprising to see Holz go. Saleh presented a detailed plan to ownership about Cam Ward‘s development, including what would happen if another team hired a Titans OC as a head coach. Holz served as a non-play-calling OC, to the point he was passed over for the role when Callahan’s job was in jeopardy and when he was fired. QBs coach Bo Hardegree finished the season as Tennessee’s play-caller. Holz, 41, spent 10 years on the Raiders’ staff before working as UNLV’s OC (2022) and Jaguars pass-game coordinator (2023). Brian Daboll is believed to be squarely on the radar for this job, though it is understandably his second choice — behind the Bills’ HC post.
Wilson, 43, called Titans defensive plays for the past two seasons. He has been a bigger name than Holz on the coaching circuit, interviewing for the Packers, Giants and Rams’ positions in 2024 and speaking with the Commanders about their current vacancy. The Titans ranked 30th and 28th in scoring defense over the past two years, respectively, but Wilson’s unit did rank second in yardage in 2024. Tennessee crashed down to 21st there in 2025.
Wilson is believed to have suitors about a 2026 landing spot, according to the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard, who matches him to the Giants. New York preferred either Wilson or Bobby Babich to ex-Titans DC Shane Bowen in 2024. Wilson worked for John Harbaugh as Ravens DBs coach in 2023. He has not interviewed for that position, but it would not surprise if Harbaugh wanted to meet with him. Ex-Ravens assistant Anthony Weaver has also come up about that DC post. Ditto Daronte Jones, who will not be promoted to Vikings DC unless Brian Flores — extended this week — lands a head coaching gig.
Additionally, the Titans are not retaining defensive assistant Lori Locust, Kuharsky notes. One of a handful of female assistant coaches around the league, Locust was a Mike Vrabel holdover who also worked as the Buccaneers’ assistant defensive line coach from 2019-22.
Mike McCoy To Interview For Titans’ HC Job; Team Not Planning Dennard Wilson Meeting
As we’ve attempted to cover in this space for a while, interim coaches face a steep battle toward actually landing the full-time job. Antonio Pierce is the only interim leader over the past nine offseasons to be elevated to full-time status, and the Raiders fired him a year later.
The Titans were the first team to fire a coach this season, beating the Giants to the punch. They turned to Mike McCoy as their interim boss. The two-time NFL HC will have a chance to interview for the full-time position, according to veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky.
McCoy, 53, went 2-9 as the interim coach this season. This came after his four-year Chargers HC run produced a 27-37 mark and one playoff berth. The Titans finished 30th in scoring offense and 31st in yardage. Although Cam Ward showed flashes down the stretch, the No. 1 overall pick finished his rookie season with an NFL-low QBR number.
Tennessee hired McCoy last year, bringing him aboard as a senior offensive assistant under Brian Callahan. Interim leaders were hired at a greater rate in previous NFL periods; the Titans are an example of a team that has shown great interest in such continuity. The team elevated Mike Mularkey from interim leader to full-time HC in 2015. As the Oilers, the franchise removed Jeff Fisher‘s interim tag in 1995. Jerry Glanville started as an Oilers interim HC before being elevated to full-time status in 1986. That said, McCoy is highly unlikely to land this job.
McCoy, however, will at least have the opportunity to interview. DC Dennard Wilson is believed to have pushed for an interview, Kuharsky adds, but the team will not provide that chance. ST coordinator John Fassel is pushing for an interview as well, per Kuharsky. Callahan hired Wilson in 2024, after he had lost out on the Eagles’ DC job, and brought in Fassel in 2025. The Titans ranked 28th in points allowed this season, finishing 21st in total defense. Wilson did have the NFL’s No. 2 total defense in 2024, but his unit ranked 30th in scoring.
Several established candidates are on Tennessee’s docket, however. Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Rams DC Chris Shula, 49ers DC Robert Saleh and Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile are among others who are expected to interview, per Kuharsky. Here is how their Mike Borgonzi-led search process looks as of Tuesday afternoon:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): To interview 1/7
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): To interview
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interview requested
- Mike McCoy, interim head coach (Titans): To interview
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): To interview 1/11
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): To interview 1/10
Titans HC Rumors: Nagy, McCarthy, Minter
After finishing with an NFL-worst three wins in 2024, the Titans’ 1-5 start this year was enough to cost Brian Callahan his job. Tennessee became the the first team of the season to fire its head coach when it gave Callahan his walking papers on Oct. 13.
Almost two full months since Callahan’s ouster, the Titans have logged even worse results. They’re 0-6 under interim head coach Mike McCoy, who likely has little to no chance of earning a full-time promotion after the season. That should put president of football operations Chad Brinker and first-year general manager Mike Borgonzi in position to find a new sideline leader from outside the organization.
With the hiring cycle still weeks from getting underway, Brinker and Borgonzi probably won’t make their pick until sometime in January. If they prioritize hiring an experienced candidate, Albert Breer of SI.com points to Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and former Packers and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy as names to watch.
Nagy has an obvious connection to Borgonzi, previously a longtime member of Kansas City’s front office. He also has some past success as an NFL head coach, having gone 34-31 with the Bears from 2018-21. Nagy took the Bears to the playoffs twice in that span.
McCarthy coached the Packers from 2006-18, winning one Super Bowl along the way, and Brinker was in their front office for most of that span. With a career .608 winning percentage over 18 seasons, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see someone give McCarthy a third opportunity.
As established coaches on the offensive side of the ball, either Nagy or McCarthy could aid in the development of quarterback Cam Ward. The first overall pick in last spring’s draft, Ward is the most important player in the organization. If Ward eventually lives up to his draft stock, it would go a long way in helping the Titans orchestrate a turnaround. Ward’s career has gotten off to a rough start, though, which isn’t a shock when considering the lack of coaching stability and the Titans’ dearth of talent.
While the Titans need more from Ward, they aren’t necessarily locked in on hiring an offensive choice or someone with head coaching experience. Two defensive coordinators, the Chargers’ Jesse Minter and the Rams’ Chris Shula, are among the “wide array of candidates” the Titans have considered so far, Breer reports. PFR’s Sam Robinson previously highlighted Minter and Shula as ascending defensive coaches to monitor during the hiring cycle, which will lack obvious slam-dunk picks on the offensive side.
The 42-year-old Minter and Shula, 39, don’t have head coaching experience at any level. However, they’ve drawn rave reviews in coordinator roles, which will lead to interest from other organizations.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh brought Minter with him to LA after a national championship-winning season with the Michigan Wolverines in 2023. The move has worked out for the Chargers, who have boasted upper-echelon defenses under Minter.
Shula, the grandson of legendary head coach Don Shula and the son of former Bengals HC Dave Shula, is also in his second year as a coordinator. Playing its first season of the post-Aaron Donald era, the Rams’ defense ranked an underwhelming 17th in scoring and 26th in yards in 2024. It’s a far more impressive second and 13th in those categories this year.
While Nagy, McCarthy, Minter, and Shula all seem like reasonable possibilities to end up as the Titans’ next sideline leader, there are surely more choices under consideration. The Titans are working to narrow down the list by season’s end, per Breer.
The next hire will bring in a new staff, but management will “likely” ask that individual to strongly consider retaining first-year sspecial teams coordinator John Fassel, according to Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. Fassel previously led ST units for the Raiders, Rams, and Cowboys. He was on McCarthy’s staff in Dallas from 2020-24. It could work in Fassel’s favor if the Titans hire McCarthy.
Titans Hire John Fassel As ST Coordinator
John Fassel is heading to Tennessee. The Titans are hiring the long-time coach to be their special teams coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“Bones” has been coaching in the NFL since 2005. He previously held the ST coordinator title at three stops, and he’s often been paired with elite kickers (Sebastian Janikowski/Raiders, Greg Zuerlein/Rams, Brandon Aubrey/Cowboys). During his stop in Los Angeles, he helped form the trio of Zuerlein, punter Johnny Hekker, and long snapper Jake McQuaide. When Jeff Fisher was canned during the 2016 season, Hassel briefly stepped in as the interim head coach.
He stuck with the Rams under Sean McVay‘s leadership before leaving for the Cowboys in 2020. He spent the past few years in Dallas, and ESPN’s Todd Archer notes that the organization hoped to retain Fassel despite their uncertain coaching outlook.
Instead, he’ll be taking his talents to Tennessee. Fassel will be replacing Colt Anderson, who spent one season in the role. Anderson is technically still on the staff, although it’s uncertain if he’ll be back in 2025. The Titans’ special teams unit was blamed for an early-season loss to the Bears, and the squad allowed a pair of blocked punts during the year.
Ryan Stonehouse should be back as the punter in 2025, but the rest of the team’s ST unit isn’t as certain. Veteran Nick Folk is set to hit free agency, although the kicker did express interest in returning to Tennessee for another year.
Coaching Rumors: 49ers, Chargers, Jaguars, Eagles
The 49ers‘ staff is starting to come together, as Matt Barrows of The Athletic writes. Chris Foerster has been bumped up to primary offensive line coach while Rich Scangarello will return as the quarterbacks coach. Scangarello served as SF’s QBs coach in 2017 and 2018 before the Broncos tapped him as their OC in 2019. After a rough time in Denver and one year in Philly, he’s headed back to the Bay Area.
Here’s a look at the latest coach and coordinator news:
- The Chargers will interview Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon for their defensive coordinator job, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Gannon is also being considered by the Bears for their DC role.
- Meanwhile, new Chargers coach Brandon Staley is bringing Rams assistant Joe Barry along for the ride as his defensive passing game coordinator and linebackers coach (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).
- The Jaguars have requested an interview with Colts quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady for their offensive coordinator job, as Pelissero tweets.
- The Eagles are interested in interviewing Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel, according to Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Fassel, the son of ex-Giants head coach Jim Fassel, spent eight years as the Rams’ ST coordinator. He also served as the Rams’ interim head coach for the final three games of 2016.
NFC East Notes: Manning, Manuel, Cowboys
Eli Manning has not expressed interest in a coaching position, but the likely Hall of Fame quarterback has not closed the door on remaining with the Giants in another non-playing capacity. The recently retired passer said he would be interested in a role with the team going forward, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The Giants likely would not say no to such an arrangement, though it remains to be seen if Manning would consider a position immediately. If Peyton Manning‘s measured approach to post-retirement offers is any indication, it may be a while before his younger brother commits to returning to the league in a potential front office role. Manning will not land on the Giants’ reserve/retired list, as he was set to be a free agent in March. The 16-year Giant recently said he believed he could still play. So Eli might be patient before entering a post-playing role, in the event an unforeseen development opens up a starting job somewhere.
Here is the latest from the NFC East:
- The Eagles interviewed former Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel for a role on their staff, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes (on Twitter). They are eyeing the former safety-turned-coach as their secondary coach. Manuel, 40, did not coach this season but spent five years with the Falcons — four of which as either Atlanta’s secondary coach or DC. Dan Quinn fired him after the 2018 season.
- After making several splashy additions to their staff, the Cowboys added a couple of lower-profile assistants. Mike McCarthy hired ex-Rams assistant special teams coach to the same position, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. A former NFLer, the 30-year-old Daniels spent the past two seasons on Sean McVay’s staff working under John Fassel. McCarthy hired Fassel to be his ST coordinator and has signed off on bringing the Rams’ special teams staff to Dallas. The Cowboys also hired ex-Redskins defensive quality control coach Cannon Matthews, per Yates. Matthews will remain in a defensive quality control role.
- Although the Giants brought in ex-Cowboys coach Marc Colombo to head up their offensive line, they will keep one of Pat Shurmur‘s assistants on staff in this department. Ben Wilkerson will remain as the team’s assistant O-line coach, Dan Duggan of The Athletic tweets. Wilkerson, 37, served in this role in each of Shurmur’s two seasons.
Kellen Moore To Stay With Cowboys
Kellen Moore will remain the Cowboys’ OC in 2020 as a member of new head coach Mike McCarthy‘s staff, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In addition, the team will add former Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel to serve in the same capacity in Dallas, and it is also hiring Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator and Jim Tomsula as defensive line coach.
Moore, 30, had drawn interest from Washington for the Pac-12 program’s OC job, but Mike Garafolo tweeted yesterday that the expectation was for the wunderkind coach to stay with the Cowboys.
Despite Dallas’ disappointing season, the team is intent on keeping Moore. Jerry Jones made it a point during the Cowboys’ HC interviews to express his desire for Jason Garrett‘s eventual successor to retain Moore. And McCarthy is a fan of the one-year coordinator. One year remains on Moore’s contract.
Although Moore went to Boise State, he is from a town southeast Washington. So, the Huskies OC job would generate natural appeal. And McCarthy being an offensive-minded coach would stand to lessen Moore’s impact with the 2020 Cowboys. But Jones being in the young coach’s corner will likely make a difference in shaping McCarthy’s offensive staff.
Under Moore, the Cowboys jumped from 22nd in total offense to first from 2018-19. Dak Prescott surpassed his previous career-high yardage total by more than 1,000, and his 30 touchdown passes were seven more than his previous career high. The fourth-year quarterback fell one yard shy of Tony Romo‘s single-season Cowboys record. The franchise appears to be on the verge of a McCarthy-Moore partnership, which would be an interesting meld of offensive philosophies given that the new head coach is steeped in the West Coast offense and Moore ran a version of Air Coryell.
Coaching Notes: Rhule, Giants, Cowboys
Even after Joe Judge‘s standout interview Monday led to him becoming the Giants‘ head coach, the franchise still had Matt Rhule as their preferred candidate. The Panthers‘ seven-year, $62MM offer to the Baylor head coach essentially prompted the Giants to fold their hand on this front, with Ralph Vacchiano of SNY noting Big Blue balked at the contract length and salary. Rhule’s $8.9MM salary makes him the sixth-highest-paid coach in the league — behind Bill Belichick ($12MM per year), Pete Carroll ($11MM AAV), Jon Gruden ($10MM), Sean Payton ($9.8MM) and John Harbaugh ($9MM). The Panthers also paid Baylor a $6MM buyout, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Just months ago, Rhule agreed to an extension with the Big 12 program.
Here is the latest from the coaching front:
- In addition to missing out on the Ron Rivera boat, the Giants wanted to speak with Mike McCarthy again, Vacchiano adds. The Cowboys swooping in prevented such an opportunity.
- Big Blue received a ringing Judge endorsement from Belichick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). The former Giants defensive coordinator and six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach called the Giants to sell them on Judge’s credentials, despite his non-traditional candidacy as a special teams coordinator.
- Shifting to McCarthy’s Cowboys staff, the team is expected to hire Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel to the same position, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Fassel’s contract was up. The second-generation NFL coach will relocate to Dallas after spending eight seasons with the Rams. Fassel came over from the Raiders in 2012, when Jeff Fisher took over in St. Louis, and stayed on with Sean McVay‘s team for three seasons. Fassel served as Rams interim HC in 2016, after the franchise fired Fisher. The Rams are losing their DC and ST coordinators, with Wade Phillips also out of the picture.
- Other candidates have surfaced to relocate to Texas. Cowboys assistants expect Saints linebackers coach Mike Nolan to be named Dallas’ new defensive coordinator, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Nolan was the 49ers’ head coach in 2005, when McCarthy served as San Francisco’s OC. Additionally, Redskins defensive line coach Jim Tomsula is on McCarthy’s radar, per Pelissero (on Twitter). Tomsula was the 49ers’ HC in 2015 and has been the Redskins’ D-line coach since 2017.
- The Bengals and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons have agreed to an extension, Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports (on Twitter). A longtime Dolphins ST boss, Simmons interviewed for the Bengals’ HC job last year and joined Cincinnati’s staff as a key assistant after the top job went to Zac Taylor. Despite Cincinnati’s 2-14 record, the team ranked first in special teams DVOA under its first-year leader.
NFC Coaching Notes: Panthers, Rams, Redskins, Lions
The Panthers have officially named Steve Wilks as their new defensive coordinator. Following the loss of former defensive coordinator Sean McDermott earlier this week, it was reported that the team was planning on promoting their assistant head coach/secondary coach to the open position. Wilks joined the Panthers organization in 2012.
The new defensive coordinator held a press conference earlier today, where he revealed that he’d be retaining his entire defensive coaching staff (via Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer on Twitter). The team still needs to hire a secondary coach following the promotion of Wilks.
Let’s take a look at some more coaching notes from the NFC…
- The Rams are expected to keep special teams coach John Fassel, reports Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News (via Twitter). Fassel has been with the organization since 2012, and he served as the Rams’ interim head coach following the firing of Jeff Fisher.
- The Redskins may have lost offensive coordinator Sean McVay, but they’re not planning on losing anyone else on their offensive staff. The Redskins are expected to retain all of their offensive assistant coaches, reports ESPN.com’s John Keim. Following the Rams‘ hiring of Wade Phillips as their defensive coordinator, there were rumors that tight ends coach Wes Phillips may leave to join McVay and his dad in Los Angeles. However, Keim notes that the Rams would have to request an interview with anyone on the Redskins coaching staff.
- The decision to retain head coach Jim Caldwell was made before the Lions clinched a playoff berth, general manager Bob Quinn told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I really believe in his approach to managing the team, how he practices the team, how he maintains the health of the team,” Quinn said. “So, listen, winning nine games is good. It’s not good enough. But I felt really comfortable with the way things went this year. I’m looking forward to 2017 with Jim.”
- The Eagles are interested in interviewing Rams passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Mike Groh for their wide receivers coach vacancy, reports ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). The former quarterback coached the Bears wideouts for three seasons before joining the Rams last year.
Rams To Interview John Fassel On Monday
The Rams will interview interim head coach John Fassel on Monday, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Fassel was named Los Angeles’ interim coach following last month’s firing of Jeff Fisher.
[RELATED: Rams DC Gregg Williams Willing To Stay]
Fassel, 42, has been an NFL coach since 2005, working with special teams units during that entire period. Before joining the Rams in 2012, Fassel worked on both the Ravens and Raiders staffs in a special teams capacity. The son of former NFL head coach Jim Fassel, John has posted an 0-3 record as Los Angeles’ interim coach. Given that the Rams are thought to be targeting high-profile candidates such as Jon Gruden, Josh McDaniels, and others, it’s entirely possible that Fassel’s meeting on Monday will only be a pro forma interview.
The Rams may also express interest in Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn, per Florio. However, Lynn is widely expected to take the Buffalo job on a full-time basis, meaning Los Angeles will have to look elsewhere.