Feb. 5, 2026, 4:03 a.m. ET

During the annual NFL coaching carousel, there are always discussions about coaching trees, experience, and relationships within the league that rise to the top, and for good reason. New head coaches like to bring people who are familiar with their systems to their new home. 

That exact thing took place in Nashville this offseason during the Tennessee Titans‘ coaching search. For many outside the organization, they were surprised that general manager Mike Borgonzi stepped outside of his circle to hire Robert Saleh, instead of the more familiar option of Matt Nagy. 

Then, once Saleh was announced, the focus shifted to his experience and the potential coaches he could bring in from his time as New York Jets head coach and defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers. And he didn’t disappoint, bringing in coaches on defense that he was familiar with. But on offense, he went in a different direction, with Brian Daboll, a colleague and friend, but never coached with. 

But there is an oddity that connects Saleh with his two new coordinators, Daboll and Gus Bradley, and it was probably never mentioned during the interview process. Incredibly, it connects the three men to the Titans. 

All three coaches secured their first victories as NFL head coaches against the Titans. In Saleh’s first season with the Jets (2021), his first win came in Week 4 vs. the Titans. Daboll, first season with the Giants (2022), had his first win in a Week 1 victory over the Titans. Bradley’s first season with the Jags (2013), and again his first win in Week 10 vs. the Titans.

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That’s an interesting fact, and to those who believe in synchronicity, a sign that these three coaches were predestined to arrive in Nashville and return the Titans to prominence. Here’s to hoping the first victory as a staff comes in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.Â