Robert Saleh is starting to put his stamp on the Titans’ coaching staff, and it begins with a familiar face staying in place. Special teams coordinator John Fassel is expected to be retained, giving Tennessee continuity in a phase of the game that often flies under the radar but plays a critical role in weekly outcomes. Fassel, known for his creativity and consistency, is under contract through 2027, and keeping him around gives Saleh a reliable veteran presence as he builds out his new staff.
On the other side of the ball, the first confirmed departure is defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. That move doesn’t come as a major surprise. With Saleh being a defensive-minded head coach himself, the expectation was always that he’d want to bring in his own voice to lead that unit - someone aligned with his philosophy and vision for how this defense should operate.
As Saleh gets to work, the focus will be on locking in his offensive and defensive coordinators before turning to the rest of the position coaches. That’s standard operating procedure for most head coaches, especially those with a clear schematic identity like Saleh. He’ll want his top lieutenants in place to help shape the structure and direction of the staff.
One assistant who could stick around is tight ends coach Luke Stocker. He played a key role in the Titans’ late-season surge in the run game, and that kind of impact doesn’t go unnoticed. Stocker’s influence in that turnaround gives him a real shot at being retained under the new regime - especially if the Titans want to maintain some of the physical, ground-and-pound identity they showed flashes of down the stretch.
As for Saleh himself, his official introduction is expected soon. The announcement could come as early as today, though the press conference hasn’t been scheduled yet.
Either way, the wheels are clearly in motion. The Titans are entering a new era, and with Saleh at the helm, the early moves suggest a methodical approach to building a staff that fits his blueprint - with a mix of trusted veterans and fresh voices.