Editor’s note: Now that the Tennessee Titans have fired Brian Callahan, we are revisiting the coaches we think would fit well in Nashville in 2026. Give it a read and hop in the comments or the Feed to share your thoughts now!
Titans head coaching candidates: The Retreads
Will the Tennessee Titans look to hire a coach who has done the job before when they fire Brian Callahan?
No, the Tennessee Titans didn’t fire head coach Brian Callahan on Monday despite the team getting blanked 26-0 in Houston. Current indications are Callahan will coach the Titans in Arizona versus the Cardinals in Week 5. We’re operating on a week-to-week basis when it comes to his job security.
Whenever the Titans relieve Callahan is ultimately up to some combination of Amy Adams Strunk, Mike Borgonzi, Chad Brinker, and possibly Burke Nihill. But it looks borderline impossible that Callahan will be in charge in 2026. With Titans fans ready to move on, we’ve compiled a list of potential retread candidates, meaning they’ve previously been head coaches elsewhere.
Mike McCarthy
Mike McCarthy spent a decade working alongside Brinker in Green Bay. That feels notable given how much power Brinker supposedly possesses within Saint Thomas Sports Park. McCarthy owns an outstanding all-time win percentage of 60.8% (174-112-2), won a Super Bowl, and spearheaded 11 double-digit win seasons in Green Bay and Dallas. He’s a professional head coach.
Matt Nagy
Matt Nagy’s tenure with the Chicago Bears has aged better than its real-time analysis. He won Coach of the Year in his debut season (2018) and was .500-or-better in three-of-four campaigns. Nagy spent seven total campaigns with Borgonzi in Kansas City. That relationship could make him a candidate in Nashville.
Kliff Kingsbury
Kliff Kingsbury projects as an in-demand candidate. His work with Jayden Daniels will eventually earn him a second opportunity. When Kingsbury’s do-over arrives, he needs to prove he’s learned from his lackluster stint with the Cardinals, where he went 28-37-1, routinely experiencing second-half collapses.
Brian Flores
Brian Flores has rehabilitated his reputation as the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. Flores’ tenure in Miami ended amidst rumors of toxicity and fractured relationships within the organization. Flores’ previous lawsuit against the National Football League (NFL) also makes his candidacy more complicated than some realize.
