With Robert Saleh officially in as the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, the next phase of the rebuild is already underway: assembling a coaching staff that can help turn this team around. And this is where Saleh’s deep NFL Rolodex really starts to matter.
Having spent time alongside offensive minds like Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur, Saleh brings more than just defensive expertise to Nashville-he brings connections. That’s a major asset, especially as the Titans look to revamp an offense that’s been stuck in neutral for far too long.
Offensive Coordinator Search: All Eyes on Daboll
Right now, the offensive coordinator search feels like it’s in a holding pattern-and for good reason. Former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is reportedly the top target, but he’s still in the mix for head coaching opportunities elsewhere. According to Diana Russini, if Daboll doesn’t land one of those top jobs, the expectation is that he’ll join Saleh’s staff in Tennessee.
That would be a massive win for the Titans. Daboll is widely respected for his work as an offensive architect, especially during his time with the Buffalo Bills, where he helped develop Josh Allen into one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. If Tennessee can land him, it would signal a major step forward in building an identity on offense-something this team has lacked in recent seasons.
But if Daboll ends up taking a head coaching job, the Titans will need to pivot quickly. Two rumored candidates-Bobby Slowik and Arthur Smith-are now officially off the board.
Slowik is headed to Miami, and Smith is returning to the college ranks with Ohio State. That narrows the field considerably.
Two other names that have surfaced as possibilities are Kliff Kingsbury and Adam Stenavich. Kingsbury, known for his Air Raid roots and quarterback-friendly schemes, could bring a more aggressive, vertical style to the Titans’ offense.
Stenavich, meanwhile, has been a steady presence on the Packers' staff and is respected for his work in the run game and offensive line development. Both would offer very different flavors, but either could help shape a new offensive identity in Nashville-if Daboll doesn’t land first.
Defensive Coordinator Options: Vasso Drawing Strong Support
On the defensive side of the ball, Saleh is likely to have a strong hand in the scheme and philosophy, but the Titans still need a coordinator to help implement the vision. Two names have emerged as early frontrunners: Cowboys defensive line coach Adam Whitecotton and Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso.
Vasso, in particular, is gaining momentum. According to Ian Rapoport, both Matt Burke and Jim Schwartz-two coaches with significant defensive pedigrees-are advocating for him.
That kind of backing speaks volumes. Vasso has earned a solid reputation for his work with Houston’s secondary, helping mold a young unit that played with discipline and aggression this past season.
Whitecotton, meanwhile, has been part of a Dallas defense that’s consistently generated pressure up front. His background in defensive line play could be a nice complement to Saleh’s system, which thrives on front-four disruption and physicality in the trenches.
What’s Next?
The Titans’ coaching search is still very much in motion, and with the head coaching dominoes still falling across the league, there’s a bit of a waiting game in play. But what’s clear is that Saleh is casting a wide net-and he has the connections and credibility to bring in high-level talent on both sides of the ball.
If the Titans can land Daboll as offensive coordinator and pair him with a rising defensive mind like Vasso, this staff could come together quickly-and with a lot of upside. The pieces are starting to move. Now it’s just a matter of how the rest of the puzzle fits.