Titans Coaching Search Heats Up: What to Know as the Dominoes Start Falling
As the Tennessee Titans continue their head coaching search, the NFL’s coaching carousel is about to hit full speed. With several key interviews completed and more on the way, the Titans find themselves in a pivotal moment - one where timing, relationships, and vision for the future will shape not just the next season, but the next era of football in Nashville.
Sean McDermott: A Proven Winner With Postseason Wounds
Let’s start with the name that’s suddenly available and could shake up the entire process: Sean McDermott.
The now-former Bills head coach has a regular-season résumé that speaks for itself. His .662 winning percentage (98-50) puts him near the top of active coaches, trailing only Nick Sirianni and Jim Harbaugh.
That kind of consistency doesn’t come by accident. McDermott built a tough, disciplined team in Buffalo and turned them into perennial contenders.
But the playoffs? That’s where the cracks showed.
In six postseason appearances, McDermott’s defenses gave up an average of 33.2 points per game. His units ranked 29th in defensive success rate and 27th in defensive EPA per play during those losses. For a coach with a defensive background, those numbers are hard to ignore - and ultimately, they were hard for the Bills to live with.
Still, McDermott is just 51. There’s plenty of coaching runway left, and if the Titans get even a whiff of interest from him, they’d be wise to move quickly.
A coach with his pedigree doesn’t hit the open market often. Tennessee has been searching for someone who can elevate the team to consistent playoff form - McDermott has done that, even if he hasn’t yet cleared the final hurdle.
Mike McCarthy: Still in the Picture, But Fading?
Mike McCarthy’s name has been in the mix for the Titans job, and he’s already had face time with the organization - both in an informal December meeting in Green Bay and a formal interview in Nashville this past weekend.
But here’s the reality: the Titans let him leave without a deal, and that usually tells you something.
McCarthy, a Super Bowl-winning coach with decades of experience, has his supporters. But the league-wide perception is that he’s more old school than today’s front offices are comfortable with. In an NFL that increasingly values innovation and adaptability, McCarthy’s traditional approach may be seen as a mismatch for where the game is headed.
Unless other options fall through, it’s hard to see him vaulting back to the top of Tennessee’s list.
Who’s Next? Saleh, Nagy, Hafley in the Mix
The Titans are still casting a wide net. Robert Saleh and Matt Nagy are both in the conversation, and either could get an offer as early as Monday depending on how the McDermott situation unfolds. Jeff Hafley, currently a candidate in Miami, is also scheduled to visit Nashville on Tuesday - assuming the Titans job is still open.
Saleh brings fire and defensive acumen, while Nagy offers offensive creativity rooted in his time with the Chiefs. Hafley, meanwhile, is seen as a rising star with a strong command of fundamentals and leadership. These are very different candidates, but all fit the profile of coaches who could connect with players and build a sustainable culture.
And in this cycle, timing is everything. Once one domino falls, the rest could follow quickly.
The Coordinator Carousel Is Coming
Once head coaches start landing, the next wave will be even more chaotic.
There are 10 offensive coordinator jobs, 10 defensive coordinator jobs, and 10 special teams coordinator jobs expected to open or change hands - not to mention a slew of position coach moves. That’s a staggering amount of turnover, and the Titans’ ability to attract top assistants will depend not just on money and relationships, but on perceived stability.
If you’re a coordinator signing a two-year deal, you want to believe your head coach will be around long enough to give you a chance to build something. That’s why this hire matters so much - not just for the head coach himself, but for the staff he can attract.
The Titans have already spoken highly of tight ends coach Luke Stocker, and special teams coordinator John Fassel is expected to stick around. Beyond that, it’ll depend on who gets the top job and who they trust to bring with them.
Patience With Mike Borgonzi
As for new general manager Mike Borgonzi, Titans fans should take a breath.
There’s a tendency in this town to go all-in or all-out on decision-makers. But Borgonzi is just getting started.
So far, he’s shown poise, clarity, and a strong sense of what he wants - and just as importantly, he communicates it well. That’s not something Titans fans have always been able to count on from leadership.
It’s fair to evaluate him based on the coach he hires. Like the coach, he’ll be judged over time - not by a single move, but by the results that follow.
What Comes Next
The Titans are at the heart of one of the most competitive coaching searches in the league. They’ve got a young GM with a Chiefs pedigree, a roster in transition, and a fanbase hungry for direction.
Names like McDermott, Saleh, Nagy, and Hafley are all on the board. The question now is: who fits not just the current moment, but the long-term vision?
The clock’s ticking. The rest of the league isn’t waiting. And for the Titans, the next hire could define the next five years.
Buckle up - it’s about to get real.