The Tennessee Titans finally made the decision to put head coach Brian Callahan out of his misery, expediting the firing all Titans fans knew was coming. In parts of two seasons in charge, Callahan only managed to win four games while losing 19 despite lucking into Cam Ward.
Ward needs someone that can bring the alleged offensive excellence Callahan was supposed to possess while also getting a broken locker room mended back together. That candidate won't be easy to find, however.
Tennessee will need to conduct a far-reaching search if they are going to find that next schematic mind who can take them back to the promised land, and there's a chance one of these five will do.
5 head coach candidates Titans must consider after firing Brian Callahan
5. Josh McCown, QB coach, Minnesota Vikings
McCown has long been thought of as a future head coach, and the Titans might be ahead of the curve if they let him get his hands on Ward. Studying under Kevin O'Connell is as close as one could come to Sean McVay, and that school of quarterback development has proven to be nearly foolproof so far.
4. Eddie George, HC, Bowling Green
George returning to Tennessee as the conquering hero would be a story straight out of Hollywood. George went 24-22 in four years as HBCU Tennessee State, and the ex-Ohio State star is 3-3 at a Bowling Green program that is difficult to win at. Unlikely, yes, but his name will at least get him in the process.
3. Mike Kafka, OC, New York Giants
Kafka is a name that continues to get coaching buzz despite New York's poor record, as his work with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City and Jaxson Dart this season has enhanced his reputation as a quarterback developer. Even after failing with Daniel Jones, Kafka, who has a Chiefs connection to Borgonzi, could be a fit.
2. Mike McCarthy, former HC, Green Bay Packers/Dallas Cowboys
McCarthy is not going to be a coach who can elevate a roster at this point in his career, but he does have a baseline floor of competency that Ward and the Titans need in the worst way. If he wants to get back into coaching this cycle, Tennessee may have several suitors for his signature.
1. Kliff Kingsbury, OC, Washington Commanders
Kingsbury has rehabilitated his coaching image after an often unfairly maligned tenure in Arizona, as he has Jayden Daniels looking like a threat in the NFC for years to come. His Air Raid system appears to be quarterbacking on easy mode at times, and Ward needs that schematic excellence as soon as possible.