Jan. 20, 2026, 7:40 a.m. ET
The Indianapolis Colts’ division rival, the Tennessee Titans, have landed their next head coach.
According to ESPN, the Titans are hiring San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
This will be Saleh’s second stint as an NFL head coach. He spent three-plus seasons with the New York Jets, compiling a 20-36 record during that span with no playoff appearances.
Saleh’s coaching background is rooted in the defensive side of the ball. Despite the lack of team success with the Jets, the defense was often very formidable.
This past season, leading the 49ers’ defense, San Francisco ranked 15th in points per game allowed, while dealing with numerous injuries.
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The Colts faced Saleh’s defense on Monday Night Football late in the 2025 season. With Phillip Rivers at quarterback, the Colts scored 27 points, totaling 312 yards, with the 49ers forcing an interception.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Titans wanted a coach with a clear plan for quarterback Cam Ward. Saleh, however, is a defensive head coach. In Russini’s words, the Titans prioritized “a reset of the organization’s culture.”