According to multiple reports, the Tennessee Titans are close to finding their next head coach.
Reportedly, current San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh has been named as the Titans next head coach. Saleh has found success in two stints as the 49ers defensive coordinator.
From 2017 to 2020, Saleh defenses in San Francisco were known for creating turnovers and collecting sacks. In 2019, the San Francisco 49ers finished in the top 10 of NFL total defense. Saleh parlayed that success into his first head coaching job with the New York Jets, lasting three seasons with little success and was fired in 2024.
Upon his return to San Francisco, the 49ers finished in the top 15 of NFL total defense this past season, while seeing notable defensive stars such as linebacker Fred Warner missing significant playing time.
Saleh will be taking over a Tennessee Titans franchise that has seen recent success with back-to-back division titles in 2020-21 but have taken a step back in the last three seasons, finishing at the bottom of the AFC South the last three years.
Everything in Tennessee isn’t as bad as it seems with a young quarterback, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, quarterback Cam Ward. With Saleh’s defensive background, it is expected that the Titans, who finished 28th in total defense will get a boost with Saleh at the controls.