Robert Saleh, the former head coach of the New York Jets, is quickly assembling his coaching team with the Tennessee Titans, bringing in some familiar faces from his time in Florham Park. Among the latest additions is Tanzel Smart, a former Jets defensive lineman and a standout personality from the team's Hard Knocks season, who will now serve as the Titans' assistant defensive line coach.
Smart joins a coaching staff that includes defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, with whom he has a history both from the Jets and a stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. This move marks a reunion for Smart and Saleh, rekindling a relationship that began during their shared time in New York.
Smart, originally a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft, played 31 games over his first three seasons before joining the Jets' practice squad in 2020. Although he appeared in just 10 games with the Jets, his charisma made him a fan favorite, particularly during the 2023 Hard Knocks series.
Now, Smart transitions from the field to the sidelines, exploring a new chapter in his NFL journey as a coaching assistant. Saleh's hiring strategy extends beyond Smart and Whitecotton, as he also brought on board former Jets assistants Tony Oden and Marquand Manuel to oversee the passing game and defensive backs, respectively.
Saleh's approach isn't limited to his Jets connections. He has also welcomed Gus Bradley, a long-time friend and former coaching partner, as the Titans' defensive coordinator, along with his cousin, Ahmed Saleh, as a defensive assistant. This network of trusted relationships underscores Saleh's preference for building a familiar and cohesive coaching environment.
For Tanzel Smart, this new role with the Titans offers a promising opportunity to establish himself as a coach in the NFL, leveraging the relationships and experiences that have shaped his career thus far.