The NFL’s coaching carousel is moving at full speed, and we’re waiting to see where it stops in Tennessee. Music City Miracles is tracking every interview and rumor for the team’s open head coach position.
The Titans have been named as a strong potential landing spot for the hottest candidate this cycle — John Harbaugh. On Wednesday, news broke that Harbaugh is interviewing for the head coach opening with the New York Giants — his first in-person interview — and he may end up being the first head coach off
the board this cycle.
Which candidate is the best fit? Which candidates do you want to stay far, far away from the Titans? Scroll down to the comments and let us know!
Titans head coach candidates, interviews, and status
Here’s the latest on the candidates, interviews, and updated news and rumors around the Titans’ head coach role.
Miami Dolphins hire Jeff Hafley as their head coach
One of the Titans’ three finalists is now off the board. That means it is down to Matt Nagy and Robert Saleh in Tennessee.
Amy Adams Strunk in Nashville for interviews today
Albert Breer reported that Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk is in Nashville for their interviews today with Matt Nagy and Robert Saleh.
Titans have their finalists for head coach
Adam Schefter is reporting that the Titans have named their three finalists for head coach:
Falcons hiring Kevin Stefanski
Well, the Titans just lost another guy they were at least somewhat interested in. The Falcons reportedly moved their second interview up with Stefanski to keep him from coming for a second interview here. They end up getting it done.
Titans second round of interviews
The names for the Titans’ second round of interviews are starting to come out. Today, 1/17, Mike McCarthy is either in today for his first or second interview. No one really knows.
Kevin Stefanski is scheduled to be in Nashville for his second interview on Sunday, 1/18, according to multiple sources, including Diana Russini.
There is also a report that Packers DC Jeff Hafley is scheduled for a second interview.
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
Status: First interview complete
Hafley is a hot name in this cycle. Matt LaFleur said he anticipates Hafley getting a job in this cycle. He was the head coach at Boston College from 2020-2024. He spent the last two seasons as the DC with the Packers.
Former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll
Status: Interviewing Friday, 1/16
This is another one that I don’t see ultimately landing the head coaching job, but could be a candidate to be the offensive coordinator, depending on who the head coach ultimately is. Daboll was 20-40-1 in his tenure with the Giants.
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathon Gannon
Status: Interviewing Sunday, 1/18
The casting of the wide net continues. Gannon was the head coach in Arizona for three seasons and compiled a 15-36 record. It would be surprising to see him get another head coaching job this cycle.
Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh
Status: Agreed to terms with the New York Giants
You can cross Harbaugh off the list of potential candidates for the Titans, as he has agreed to terms with the Giants.
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel
Status: First interview complete
McDaniel did a better job in Miami than most people give him credit for. There is a narrative out there that he lost the locker room, but the Dolphins finished the season five of their last eight games. I’d be surprised if he gets the head coaching job here, but I’d love to see him here as the OC. McDaniel was 35-33 in Miami and made the playoffs twice.
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula
Status: Titans requested interview
Shula has been with the Rams since 2017, working his way up from assistant linebackers coach to defensive coordinator. He should have some good offensive coordinator connections coming from the Sean McVay tree.
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter
Status: First interview complete
Minter joined the Chargers as their defensive coordinator in 2024 when Jim Harbaugh was hired. Minter was with Harbaugh at Michigan before that. He has familiarity with Nashville, having coached at Vanderbilt on Clark Lea’s staff in 2021.
Former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy
Status: Interviewing Saturday, 1/17
It took a while, but McCarthy is finally on the Titans’ list of interviews. McCarthy and Chad Brinker were together in Green Bay, but there are some reports that they might not have had the best relationship.
Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
Status: Titans requested interview
Kingsbury and the Commanders “parted ways” earlier this week. Kingsbury was in Washington for two years as the OC. He has prior head coaching experience with the Arizona Cardinals.
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh
Status: Interviewing Sunday, 1/18
Saleh has been, maybe, the most polarizing candidate for Titans fans. His tenure as the head coach of the New York Jets was a disaster. How much of that was because of the circumstances surrounding that clown show of a franchise, and how much was on Saleh?
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith
Status: First interview complete
Could the prodigal son return home? Smith didn’t fare well in his stint as the head coach of the Falcons, but there’s no doubt he’s a good offensive mind. He should get a second chance at some point.
Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy
Status: Interview complete
He’s not getting the job.
Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett
Status: Interview complete
See comments on Mike McCoy.
[UPDATE 1/9 9:00 AM] – Two more requests for the Titans: Los Angeles Rams DC Chris Shula and Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter.
[UPDATE 9:08 PM] – The Titans will interview former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy next Saturday.
[UPDATE 3:19 PM] – The Titans have officially asked to interview Kliff Kingsbury. That had been rumored, but is now official.
[UPDATE 9:58 AM] – The Miami Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel. He’s not getting another head coaching job anytime soon. I’d love to see him here as the OC paired with Saleh as the HC.
[UPDATE 1/8 8:20 AM] – The Titans have requested an interview with San Francisco 49ers defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh, per Albert Breer. Saleh cannot interview until next week, with the 49ers playing this weekend. The Titans have also put in requests for Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, per Paul Kuharsky. Those guys also cannot interview until next week.
[UPDATE 1/7 8:22 AM] – I somehow missed this the other day, but Mike McCoy will get an interview for the full-time job. He will not get the job.
[UPDATE 5:00 PM] – Titans will interview Jason Garrett on Friday. If they hire Garrett, I might have to retire from this site.
[UPDATE 1/6 8:21 AM] – The first round of in-person interviews has been scheduled. It will be Anarumo on Wednesday, Matt Nagy on Thursday, and Kevin Stefanski on Saturday, per Ian Rapoport. Paul Kuharsky reported that Raheem Morris will interview on Sunday.
[UPDATE 3:30 PM] – The Titans are also expected to interview former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. I doubt he ends up being the head coach here, but he would be a great hire for the new head coach as the defensive coordinator.
[UPDATE 3:21 PM] – Adam Schefter is reporting that the Titans are expected to interview former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
[UPDATE 9:52 AM] – The Titans have also requested to interview Indianapolis Colts DC Lou Anarumo and Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo, per Ian Rapoport.
Mike Borgonzi is off and running this morning with his interview requests in the search for the next head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Ian Rapoport has reported this morning that the Titans have requested interviews with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. There has been a lot of speculation that Borgonzi will want a guy who has been a head coach before. Both of these guys fit that bill.
Nagy coached the Chicago Bears from 2018-2021. He went 34-31 as the head coach there and made the playoffs twice. Nagy has been the most heavily rumored candidate that the Titans would interview since Brian Callahan was fired in October.
Joseph was the head coach of the Broncos from 2017-2018. He compiled an 11-21 record in his two seasons at the helm. The Broncos’ defense has been one of the best in the league this season.
You can expect more names to come out as the day goes on. Keep in mind that for now, the only current coaches Borgonzi can interview are guys on teams that did not make the playoffs and guys on teams that have a first-round bye in the playoffs. Those two teams are the Broncos in the AFC and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC.
