The NFL offseason is already buzzing with drama, and nowhere is the action more intense than in the Tennessee Titans’ ongoing search for a new head coach. For the second time in just three years, the Titans are on the hunt to find a leader capable of guiding a youthful roster back to playoff relevance after four consecutive seasons on the outside looking in. The stakes? Nothing short of the franchise’s future trajectory.
General manager Mike Borgonzi, who took the reins in 2025, now holds full command over the coaching staff and the 53-man roster. It’s a pivotal shift in the Titans’ organizational structure, granting Borgonzi direct reporting lines to controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and empowering him to shape the team’s identity from the ground up. His first major task? Identify the right coach to mentor promising quarterback Cam Ward and a core of emerging talents, while navigating a roster in need of upgrades at receiver, edge defender, and cornerback.
The search officially kicked off on January 5, 2026, and it’s already clear the Titans are leaving no stone unturned. According to multiple reports, the franchise expects to conduct between 12 and 15 interviews in the first round alone—a sweeping approach that signals just how seriously Tennessee is taking this decision. As of January 13, the Titans have either interviewed or requested interviews with at least 17 candidates, a list that reads like a who’s who of NFL coaching minds.
Among the names in the mix: former NFL head coaches John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, Kevin Stefanski, Matt Nagy, Steve Spagnuolo, Vance Joseph, Jason Garrett, Lou Anarumo, Mike McCoy, Raheem Morris, Mike McDaniel, Jonathan Gannon, Jesse Minter, Chris Shula, Arthur Smith, Jeff Hafley, and Robert Saleh. It’s an impressive and diverse group, featuring both offensive and defensive gurus, as well as coaches with recent head coaching experience and those who’ve built their reputations as top coordinators.
The Titans’ interview schedule for the week of January 13 is packed. According to The Tennessean and other outlets, Tuesday will see meetings with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Wednesday brings in former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. On Friday, it’s former Giants head coach Brian Daboll’s turn, followed by in-person interviews with Mike McCarthy on Saturday and Jonathan Gannon and Robert Saleh on Sunday. Notably, some interviews will be conducted in person—a sign of how seriously the Titans are evaluating each candidate’s fit for Nashville.
One of the biggest storylines swirling around the Titans’ search is the status of John Harbaugh, the longtime Baltimore Ravens head coach and a Super Bowl winner. After parting ways with the Ravens following 18 seasons, Harbaugh immediately became the most sought-after name on the market. Reports from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo indicate that the Giants and Falcons are considered frontrunners for Harbaugh, but the Titans are "firmly in the mix." According to Garafolo, "the Titans have a chance" to land Harbaugh, even though no formal interview schedule has been announced yet. Harbaugh himself has reportedly told teams he’ll take a week to regroup before scheduling interviews, a move that could complicate the Titans’ timeline but isn’t expected to derail their process.
Meanwhile, the coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever, with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin stepping down and creating yet another high-profile vacancy. As The Tennessean points out, "this just puts another great name on the market without necessarily bumping the Titans down in the pecking order for best jobs available." The Steelers’ situation—marked by quarterback uncertainty and a rebuilding offensive line—doesn’t necessarily offer a more attractive destination for top coaching candidates, giving the Titans a fighting chance to land their preferred choice.
The Titans’ approach to the search has been methodical, with Borgonzi and his team casting a wide net. According to ESPN and NFL Network, the Titans’ confirmed interview list includes a mix of defensive and offensive minds. Among them: Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. The Titans have also shown interest in up-and-coming coordinators like Kliff Kingsbury, currently with the Washington Commanders, and Arthur Smith, now with the Steelers.
Notably, the Titans aren’t alone in their pursuit of these coaching stars. Many candidates are fielding interview requests from multiple franchises. For example, Raheem Morris is interviewing with Arizona, New York, and Tennessee; Vance Joseph is on the radar for Arizona, Baltimore, Las Vegas, New York, and Tennessee; and Kevin Stefanski is in talks with both the Giants and Titans. This competitive landscape means the Titans will need to make a compelling case to lure their top choice to Nashville.
As for the current state of the Titans’ roster, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. Quarterback Cam Ward returns for his second season, though he may be limited early on due to a shoulder injury. Young receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, tight end Gunnar Helm, and offensive linemen Peter Skoronski and JC Latham provide a foundation on offense. On defense, All-Pro candidate Jeffery Simmons anchors a unit that also features linebackers Cedric Gray and Cody Barton, and safeties Amani Hooker, Xavier Woods, and Kevin Winston Jr. However, the Titans will face tough decisions regarding veterans like Calvin Ridley, L’Jarius Sneed, Lloyd Cushenberry III, and Tony Pollard as they balance cap space with the need for upgrades.
Throughout the search, the Titans have remained tight-lipped about their process, opting to announce interviews in round-up fashion rather than individually. This approach has kept fans and media on their toes, but sources close to the team insist that thoroughness, not secrecy, is the driving force. As one NFL Network report put it, "the Titans are going to announce their interviews in more of a round-up capacity than one-by-one, so don’t stress out based on any lack of formal announcements being made through the week."
With so many moving parts and high-profile names in play, the Titans’ coaching search is shaping up to be one of the most watched stories of the NFL offseason. The franchise’s willingness to consider both proven head coaches and innovative coordinators speaks to a desire to get this hire right, once and for all. The next Titans coach will inherit a team hungry for success and a fan base eager for a return to the postseason. As the interviews continue and rumors swirl, all eyes remain on Nashville to see which direction the Titans will ultimately choose.
For now, the search is ongoing, and the Titans are determined to leave no option unexplored. With interviews scheduled throughout the week and a deep pool of candidates, the franchise is poised to make one of the most consequential decisions in its recent history. Stay tuned—this coaching carousel is far from over.
