The Tennessee Titans kicked their head coaching search into high gear on Monday morning. The team has already requested interviews with four candidates. They are Kansas City Chiefs coordinators Matt Nagy and Steve Spagnuolo, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
This is a fairly uninspiring list. There’s no need for Titans fans to immediately panic, however. General manager Mike Borgonzi is expected to request interviews with upwards
of 10 candidates. Initial discussions will occur virtually, and finalists will eventually travel to Nashville for in-person interviews.
We’ve ranked the Titans’ first four head coaching interview requests from best to worst.
Matt Nagy
Nagy isn’t a popular candidate with the Titans’ fanbase, but he may be the best of this first initial round. Nagy went 34-31 in four seasons as the Chicago Bears’ head coach despite being straddled with Mitch Trubisky, Justin Fields, and a post-peak Nick Foles at quarterback. His relationship with Borgonzi (eight seasons together in KC) might make him a legitimate candidate.
Vance Joseph
The Broncos have fielded the best defense in the NFL collectively since naming Joseph their defensive coordinator in 2023. He would be a stabilizing figure in the wake of the Brian Callahan disaster. Joseph would ultimately be an uninspiring appointment, though. He went 11-21 in two seasons (2017-18) as the Broncos’ head coach, though his quarterbacks were Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiller, Paxton Lynch, and Case Keenum.
Lou Anarumo
Anarumo feels like another low-floor, veteran, stabilizing option. He possesses a brilliant defensive mind, but has never been an NFL head coach. It’s tough to envision a 59-year-old, first-time, defensive-minded head coach as the best option to develop Cam Ward.
Steve Spagnuolo
Like Nagy, Steve Spagnuolo possesses a relationship with Borgonzi through Kansas City. It feels like the only justifiable reason for his interview request. Spagnuolo is a brilliant defensive coordinator, but he has an all-time head coaching record of 11-41.
