The Tennessee Titans have identified 18 candidates in their head coaching search. Well, 19 if you include John Harbaugh, who they’re obviously interested in. There’s been discussion and debate online over how many candidates are too many candidates.
The Titans’ 18 interview requests lead the entire NFL among the nine job openings (nine following Mike Tomlin’s departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers). Last year, the Chicago Bears interviewed 20 candidates before hiring Ben Johnson. That turned out well.
There has been some speculation that some of the Titans’ candidates are actually being interviewed for future offensive/defensive coordinator roles. That is pure speculation, but the Titans did something similar in 2018 when they hired both Mike Vrabel and Matt LaFleur.
With that in mind, we’ve analyzed which Titans head coaching candidates may actually being considered for a coordinator position.
Raheem Morris
Is Raheem Morris really going to get a third head coaching opportunity after failing in Tampa Bay and Atlanta? He’s probably a coordinator candidate for the remainder of his coaching career. Morris worked with Mike McDaniel, who feels like a more legitimate Titans HC option.
Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll is the Titans’ latest (18th) interview candidate. The former New York Giants coach doesn’t have any other known interviews for head positions. He has a resume of coaching young quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart and Josh Allen, and worked at Alabama and New England. He’s likely to be a coordinator somewhere in 2026.
Jonathan Gannon
Joanthan Gannon has been linked to several DC vacancies since being fired by the Arizona Cardinals. Perhaps the Titans are thinking about pairing Gannon with an offensive-minded HC. He once coordinated a Philadelphia Eagles defense that registered 70 sacks in a season.
Maybe:
Mike McDaniel
McDaniel is probably a legitimate head coaching candidate. There’s always the possibility that he ends up in a coordinator role with the Detroit Lions or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If the Titans hire Robert Saleh, there’s a scenario where McDaniel ends up as his OC.
Kliff Kingsbury
If the Titans hire Chris Shula, Jesse Minter, or Jeff Hafley, they could look to partner a first-time defensive HC with a proven offensive mind. Kliff Kingsbury checks that box. Kingsbury does have some head coaching interest on the market.
Matt Nagy
Matt Nagy was connected to the Titans’ job through his relationship with Mike Borgonzi. Maybe he’s a serious candidate, but it’s also possible the Titans look to pair him with a Shula or Hafley. Nagy would leave Andy Reid (he’s on an expired contract) to come coordinate the Cam Ward offense.
