Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh continues to fill out his coaching staff. Most major positions have been filled, with Brian Daboll and Gus Bradley being the offensive and defensive coordinators. A few entry-level positions have yet to be announced. Most notably, the Titans don’t have a position coach for the linebackers and nickel corner spots yet.
One of the true entry-level jobs was recently filled. The Titans are hiring Wayne State linebackers coach/special teams coordinator Ahmed Saleh,
CBS Sports reported. You might recognize the last name. He is head coach Robert Saleh’s cousin.
Paul Kuharsky has since confirmed that Ahmed Saleh will be a defensive quality control coach. It’s a true low-level role, but it’s hard to dispute that being Robert Saleh’s cousin was probably his pathway to this job. Wayne State isn’t exactly a factory when it comes to producing NFL talent. It’s a nepotism hire, and it’s okay to acknowledge that, because that’s how the NFL works.
Elsewhere, the Titans officially lost linebackers coach Frank Bush. He is joining John Harbaugh’s staff with the New York Giants, according to reports. What a development. Bush becomes the third former 2025 Titans coaching staff member to join the Giants, alongside Brian Callahan and Dennard Wilson.
Also, almost-Titans HC Matt Nagy is the Giants’ offensive coordinator. Daboll, the former Giants head coach, is now coordinating Cam Ward and the Titans offense. The parallels are endless.
Bush was a good linebackers coach. He helped sophomore linebacker Cedric Gray break out in 2025. Gray set the Titans’ single-season franchise record for tackles with 164. Coach Saleh ultimately decided against retaining Bush.
As noted, the Titans are still filling out the linebacker position coach spot. Saleh’s linebackers coach with the New York Jets was Mike Rutenberg. Saleh interviewed Rutenberg for the defensive coordinator job that ultimately went to Gus Bradley. The Atlanta Falcons, Rutenberg’s current employer, are unlikely to let him make a lateral move to Tennessee.
