Feb. 21, 2026, 4:02 a.m. ET

Just days after finalizing their coaching staff, the Tennessee Titans lost defensive assistant Travis Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, forcing Robert Saleh to go through the process of finding a replacement. 

After a few days of searching, Saleh found the right fit and hired one of his former players to fill Smith’s role on the staff. The Titans added Tanzel Smart as assistant defensive line coach on Friday, reuniting him with Saleh, defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi, who coached with Smart in 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Although Smart will be entering his second season as a coach after serving as a defensive assistant/quality control coach with the Cowboys, he brings seven years of NFL playing experience as a defensive tackle, including a stint with Saleh with the New York Jets from 2020 to 2023. 

His experience as a defensive lineman in Saleh’s defense should give him a unique perspective on the system and playing style, which should resonate with the Titans’ defensive front and help them make a smooth transition during offseason workouts, readying them for the start of the season. 

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