Titans coaching candidates: Who could be Tennessee’s top options?

• Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady could be a top candidate for the Titans’ coaching vacancy after Brian Callahan’s firing.
• Kliff Kingsbury and Mike McCarthy could also be leading options if the team wants an offensive mind to mold Cam Ward.
• If Tennessee is open to going the defensive route, Brian Flores, Vance Joseph and Jesse Minter could be among the potential options.

The Tennessee Titans will have plenty of time to do their homework to find their next coach.

In firing Brian Callahan on Monday, the team pulled the plug on a coaching regime after just 23 games. The results – a 4-19 mark that featured an abundance of errors and little to suggest a turnaround was in store – proved sufficient to warrant the abrupt change in direction. At 1-5, the Titans will be left to play out a season that quickly revealed itself to be nearly devoid of promise, even as No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward took the reins to the offense.

Instead, the focus is decidedly on the future.

Despite the cloud that has hung over the franchise dating back to the final two seasons of Mike Vrabel’s run, there is legitimate reason for optimism. Ward’s struggles have been pervasive as he navigates an offense equipping him with little support, but he’s also demonstrated the playmaking streak that helped propel him to become the top selection this past April. Tennessee is currently on track to have an NFL-high $113.8 million in cap space for 2026, according to Over The Cap, which general manager Mike Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker could utilize to plug the myriad holes throughout the roster. And with a new stadium set to open in 2027, the organization looks intent on getting off to a solid start as it opens a new era.

But just where does Tennessee turn from here?

Perhaps Ward’s presence creates somewhat of a mandate to turn to an offensively inclined candidate, and it stands to reason that the Titans would want an experienced play-caller after Callahan struggled to balance those duties with his head-coaching responsibilities. But a franchise that has won just 17 games since it earned the No. 1 seed in the 2021 AFC playoffs probably needs to entertain all opportunities for growth, no matter what form they come in.

With that said, here are 10 candidates who could draw the team’s eye as Callahan’s replacement:

Tennessee Titans coaching candidates

Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator

On resume alone, there might be no more attractive candidate than Brady, who helped Josh Allen ascend to MVP status last season. But his allure extends beyond what he can do for one player. The 36-year-old is renowned for his ability to deploy a highly flexible attack capable of beating opponents in several different forms, with Buffalo entering Monday night’s contest ranked second in rushing yards (154.4 yards per game). As important as honing Ward’s considerable skills is to his development, Brady could also provide substantial assistance by lightening the ask of the talented passer in the early going. Landing Brady, who last season pulled out of the New Orleans Saints’ coaching search, could be difficult given that he might be the most sought-after option at the coordinator level. But he’d make plenty of sense for a Tennessee team desperate to clean up its act.

Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator

His work in helping Jayden Daniels become the nearly unanimous Offensive Rookie of the Year made him a hot commodity for the near future, but Kingsbury showed no urgency to jump ship after his first year on Dan Quinn’s staff. His offensive acumen and prior experience leading the Arizona Cardinals could make him a considerable draw for the Titans. He’s also shed some concerns about his predictability as a play-caller, instead building a more malleable system catered to Daniels’ strengths. Jumping to Tennessee and working with Ward would require a similar bespoke approach, but Kingsbury seems as though he would be up to the task – if he finds the opportunity enticing enough.

Mike McCarthy, former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach

The 61-year-old might not be seen as a natural fit for a franchise in need of rejuvenation. But he’s also a proven entity who could prove capable of stabilizing an organization that has repeatedly tripped itself up in recent years while making various pivots. Not only did he notch three consecutive 12-win seasons with the Cowboys from 2021-23, but his offenses also led the league in scoring twice during that span. Brinker rose up the ranks with the Packers and overlapped with McCarthy for a good stretch (2009-18), so there may be some common ground to explore here.

Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator

He’s another figure who won’t dazzle as a hire, and a reputation for rigidity in executing his scheme might make him somewhat of a strange fit as a potential mentor for Ward. But Smith has proven more malleable than many expected in getting aligned with Aaron Rodgers, and he was firmly on the NFL’s radar for a second try in the head-coaching ranks this past offseason. He certainly knows his way around the building after serving in several capacities as an assistant from 2011-20. In his final season in Nashville as offensive coordinator, he orchestrated a group that finished fourth in scoring and second in total yards, marking the only time since the franchise relocated from Houston that it has finished that high in either category.

Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator

If Tennessee isn’t set on hiring an offensive mind, he’s probably the first call among the defense-oriented options. Flores occupies a singular space in the coordinator ranks, with his vexing scheme flustering opposing quarterbacks and play-callers alike. After interviewing with the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets this past offseason, he could be nearing his opportunity for a second shot at a head-coaching role. But his outstanding lawsuit against the NFL could complicate his standing with teams, and he’ll have to answer for his strained relationship with Tua Tagovailoa during his time leading the Miami Dolphins.

Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator

Jim Harbaugh’s immediate revival of the Chargers is the stuff that struggling NFL franchises dream of. Recapturing that effect won’t be easy, but it’s understandable why teams might be drawn to Minter to execute a comparable turnaround. Los Angeles allowed the fewest points in 2024, his first year as defensive coordinator at the NFL level, and he looks due to become a staple of the interview circuit this winter.

Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator

He’s another candidate who, in addition to his strong ongoing work at the coordinator level, would provide NFL head-coaching experience after his run leading the Broncos from 2017-18. Entering Week 7, Joseph’s current group leads the league with 30 sacks while ranking second in both yards allowed and scoring. In Tennessee, he could help ramp up a pass rush that ranks 27th in pressure rate (29.1%), according to Next Gen Stats, despite the considerable contributions of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

Jeff Hafley, Packers defensive coordinator

At the start of the season, Hafley looked as though he might rocket to the top of several coaching hot boards amid the Packers’ dazzling defensive debut. His stock might have cooled down a bit with Green Bay looking a little more wobbly in recent weeks, but don’t discount him as a potential major player in the upcoming hiring cycle. If the former Boston College coach is willing to let Ward be as aggressive as he asks his defenses to be, this could be a fruitful partnership.

Josh Grizzard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator

This is veering into long-shot territory, but don’t rule it out. Grizzard, 35, is in his first year as an NFL offensive coordinator, so experience could prove prohibitive in landing a top job right away. But he’s sure to garner interest if he continues along this trajecory. In taking over for Liam Coen, Grizzard has managed to add his own wrinkles to a Buccaneers attack that ranks sixth in scoring. That’s largely due to him helping Baker Mayfield tap into MVP-caliber play. But he’s also done laudatory work in managing a spate of early-season injuries, including a full-blown reset up front while All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs was out.

Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator

The Seahawks’ offense has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the early going. That’s a credit to Kubiak, who was tasked with shaping what amounted to a complete overhaul in philosophy after Ryan Grubb’s pass-happy approach last year clearly wore on head coach Mike Macdonald. The rugged ground game hasn’t materialized, but Kubiak has created an environment in which Sam Darnold can take calculated shots downfield. That no doubt would serve Ward well, especially as the organization figures out how to solve its longstanding problems along the offensive line.