NASHVILLE – The Titans have a new head football coach.
On Wednesday, the Titans and Brian Callahan officially agreed to a contract that will make him the team's next coach. Callahan, who previously served as offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, is scheduled to be introduced at a news conference at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park on Thursday at 1 p.m.
“This is an exciting time for our franchise and we are excited to have Brian as our head coach,” said Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk. “We conducted a thorough candidate search and Brian emerged as the best person to lead our football team. I would like to thank the other candidates who were involved in this process and wish them all the best for the future.”
“Brian has a track record and a range of experiences that have prepared him for this opportunity. His football knowledge and enthusiasm for the game are truly outstanding, and what's more, we believe his leadership qualities make him an ideal fit for our franchise.
“If you look at his history, Brian was part of a Super Bowl winning team (Denver, 2015) and another team that reached the Super Bowl (Cincinnati, 2021). He has worked in a variety of dynamic offenses with top teams. Flight quarterbacks. At every stage of his career, he has demonstrated the flexibility and intelligence needed to make an impact.
“During his time with the Bengals, he was entrusted with numerous tasks – offensive design, quarterback development, contributing to the free agency and draft processes – and he demonstrated the ability to be a resource in all of these areas. How we look for it.” We want to be successful in the long term and aim for a championship. Brian has seen firsthand what this looks like and he is the right person to lead us there.
“To our fans: Thank you for your support and for staying loyal to us. You deserve a championship team and we will get there. I can’t wait for you to meet Brian and his family.”
Callahan conducted an in-person interview with the team at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park on Monday after previously conducting a virtual interview with the team on Jan. 12.
In total, the Titans interviewed ten candidates for the position after parting ways with Mike Vrabel earlier this month. Callahan was among two candidates who received a second interview and one of three in-person interviews conducted by the team.
Callahan interviewed for several head coaching jobs last offseason but ultimately returned to Cincinnati. He continued to be a popular target in head coaching searches this offseason.
But the fit ended in Tennessee, with the Titans.
Callahan, who just completed his 14th season in the NFL, served as the Bengals' offensive coordinator since 2019. In total, Callahan has 18 years of coaching experience.
In Cincinnati, he was instrumental in the development of quarterback Joe Burrow.
Callahan began his NFL career as an assistant coach for the Broncos in 2010 before being promoted to offensive quality control coach in 2011 and offensive assistant in 2013. During his time with the Broncos, Callahan worked with quarterback Peyton Manning as the Broncos won the Super Bowl and Manning was named NFL MVP.
Callahan was the Lions' quarterbacks coach in 2016-17, when he helped Matthew Stafford develop into one of the league's most productive quarterbacks. While working with Stafford, Callahan helped the veteran finish third in passing yards (4,446) and fourth in passing touchdowns (29) in 2017, while posting a career-best passer rating of 99.3.
Callahan joined the Raiders in 2018 when he helped quarterback Derek Carr set a then-career high in passing yards (4,049) while leading the AFC with a completion percentage of 68.9.
But Callahan's longest career was with the Bengals, and the team had plenty of success. While working under head coach Zac Taylor, Callahan was a part of two AFC North titles, two AFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl berth.
Over the last three seasons (2021-23), the Bengals' offense ranked in the NFL's top 10 in several categories: sixth in scoring (24.9), seventh in passing (250.8 yards per game), seventh in passing yards -Zone efficiency (61.5 percent). ), 10th in third-down percentage (41.0) and sixth in time of possession (31:00).
In 2022, with a healthy Burrow, the Bengals' offense ranked seventh in the NFL in points per game (26.1), eighth in total yards (360.5 per game) and fifth in passing Yards (265.0). Burrow was named to his first career Pro Bowl selection this season as he set team records for completions (414) and TD passes (35) in a season while ranking fifth in the NFL in passing yards (4,475). documented.
During this season, the Bengals also had two 1,000-yard receivers in Ja'Marr Chase (1,046) and Tee Higgins (1,029).
In 2021, the Bengals' offense ranked in the top 10 in the league in points scored (eighth, 27.1) and passes (seventh, 259.0) en route to an appearance in Super Bowl LVI.
Bengals running back Joe Mixon exceeded 1,000 scrimmage yards four times in five seasons with Callahan as his offensive coordinator.
Callahan, who played quarterback at UCLA, is the son of former Raiders coach Bill Callahan, who is now the Browns' offensive line coach. Callahan spent time as an assistant at his alma mater, UCLA, in 2006 and 2007 before spending two years (2008-09) as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Junipero High School in San Mateo, California.
After parting ways with Vrabel, the Titans interviewed Callahan, the Giants' offensive coordinator, Mike Kafka, the Raiders' interim head coach, Antonio Pierce (who was later hired as the Raiders' permanent head coach), the Ravens' defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, the Cowboys' defensive coordinator , Dan Quinn, and Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and former Stanford head coach David Shaw for the position. Brown and Callahan conducted an in-person interview for the second time on Monday, a day after Shaw's in-person interview.
Ultimately, Callahan was the right guy for the Titans.
Brian Callahan's background
2024: Head Coach – Tennessee Titans
2019-23: Offensive Coordinator – Cincinnati Bengals
2018: Quarterbacks Coach – Oakland Raiders
2016-17: Quarterbacks Coach – Detroit Lions
2015: Offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach – Denver Broncos
2013–14: Offensive Assistant – Denver Broncos
2011-12: Offensive Quality Control – Denver Broncos
2010: Assistant Coach – Denver Broncos
2008-09: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach – Junipero Serra High School
2006–07: Research Assistant – UCLA
2002-05: Quarterback – UCLA