Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk surprised Titans fans when she fired head coach Mike Vrabel 2 days after his team upset the Jaguars in Week 18, eliminating their rivals from playoff contention. Because it was unexpected, many fans were vocal about their disagreement. Over the last few days, several details have come out that cleared up the confusion surrounding the decision. Now, the attention turns to who will replace Vrabel.
The Titans should not consider hiring any defensive coaches. Despite the fact the team had other reasons for firing Vrabel, they still fired one of the best defensive coaches in football. Signing a defensive coach will feel like a step backward and more of the same. The team is also reportedly not interested in interviewing Jim Harbaugh, whose exit from the 49ers mirrored the same problems and ending that they have just gone through with Vrabel.
So, Who Should Tennessee Target?
Brian Callahan, Bengals OC
My first choice for the Titans offense would be Brian Callahan. He checks a lot of boxes for the Titans. In addition to bringing a modernized offense to Nashville, he has a proven track record as a coordinator that includes a trip to the Super Bowl. Before being hired as offensive coordinator, Callahan served several seasons as a quarterback coach. Having a head coach who has spent time in the league developing quarterbacks would be a huge benefit for the Titans development of Levis. Brian is also the son of Bill Callahan, who has previously been a head coach in the NFL and is currently the offensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns.
Ben Johnson, Lions OC
Ben Johnson has the Lions offense absolutely humming, finishing 2023 in the top 5 of passing, rushing, and scoring. Detriot’s pass game began turning a corner with Johnson as the pass game coordinator, but he would not be long for that position as he was handed the full offense after 1 season. Ben Johnson doesn’t have the background of playoff success that Brian Callahan has, but he will have an opportunity to change that this weekend.
Bobby Slowik, Texans OC
Bobby Slowik is not as high on my list as some others have him. The only reason for that is his tenure (or lack of) as offensive coordinator. I place a premium on a coach having proven it over multiple seasons. However, if the team believes in what they have seen, then they should have no timidity about pulling the trigger to bring Slowik on board. Slowik and GM Ran Carthon have shared an office building before, as they spent multiple seasons in San Francisco together. So Carthon has some inside intel on this candidate. If he liked what he saw working with him in San Francisco, then this could be his early favorite resume.
