What This Story Is AboutNFL insiders are reporting that the Tennessee Titans have narrowed their head coaching search down to three candidates.Why It MattersThe Titans are coming off several disappointing seasons and will look to capitalize on quarterback Cam Ward’s rookie contract while also building toward their first season in the new Nissan Stadium in 2027.What Happens NextThe Titans will continue interviewing candidates and eventually hire a head coach, likely before the NFL Draft.For ContextTennessee fired Brian Callahan in the middle of the season after a 1-5 start to the 2025-26 season.
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) – It seems as if the Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is winding down, according to reports from NFL insiders.
As other franchises lock up their next head guy, like the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, the Titans continue to conduct interviews and reportedly narrow down their list.
On Sunday, the team announced it completed interviews with more candidates during its pivotal offseason:
Jesse Minter – Chargers defensive coordinatorJeff Hafley – Packers defensive coordinatorArthur Smith – Steelers offensive coordinatorRaheem Morris – former Falcons head coachMike McDaniel – former Dolphins head coachBrian Daboll – former Giants head coachJonathan Gannon – former Cardinals head coachMike McCarthy – former Packers, Cowboys head coach
Latest: Titans interview eight more candidates for head coach opening
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports that the three known finalists for Nashville’s opening are Robert Saleh, Matt Nagy, and Jeff Hafley.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported those names as well on Sunday afternoon:
Sources: The #Titans scheduled an in-person interview with #49ers DC Robert Saleh tomorrow afternoon. He’s a serious candidate, despite not overlapping with GM Mike Borgonzi.
Matt Nagy tomorrow morning. Saleh in the afternoon, plus Jeff Hafley for Tuesday — TEN has its top 3. pic.twitter.com/4U3t1QgaRm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2026
A name to watch for going forward in this head coaching search across the NFL is Sean McDermott, who the Buffalo Bills reportedly fired on Monday morning.
As of this article’s publishing, these franchises are also without a head coach:
Baltimore RavensPittsburgh SteelersCleveland BrownsBuffalo BillsLas Vegas RaidersMiami DolphinsArizona Cardinals
Ahead of the final game of the season, which was a loss to the playoff-bound Jacksonville Jaguars, the franchise’s controlling owner, Amy Adams Strunk, announced some restructuring of the front office to “return the football team to the championship caliber you [fans] deserve.”
The team announced the following moves:
General Manager Mike Borgonzi will have final say on the team’s 53-man roster.Borgonzi will lead the team’s upcoming head coach search and oversee the coaching staff.Borgonzi and the President of Football Operations, Chad Brinker, will both report to the owner.
During the first week of January, Borgonzi shared what qualities he’s looking for in the team’s next leader.
“It’s having a clear vision, having standards for what you do,” Borgonzi said. “And then, having that person not be afraid of conflict in a negative way, but being able to hold people accountable, is the biggest thing. And how do you do that? That person ultimately has to connect everybody in the building, too. So those are the big things that really we’re looking for. Obviously, they have to have a strategic vision in terms of philosophy in X’s and O’s as well.”
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