The Tennessee Titans have endured a difficult season under the first year of Brian Callahan's leadership. Will owner Amy Adams Strunk replace Callahan after just one season in charge? How the Titans conclude their season versus the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans could swing the decision.
Three NFL teams are already confirmed to be looking for new head coaches. The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears made in-season changes. Several more could join them once the campaign is over, including the Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and New York Giants.
If the Titans decide to make an uprooting coaching change, reputation could factor into the list of candidates that would consider Tennessee's opening. Another head coaching and general manager firing would mean the Titans would be on their third HC and GM across 23 months. That's bad for business, and Adams Strunk would be tasked with paying multiple unemployed figures, including Mike Vrabel.
In case the Titans decide to fire Callahan after one lackluster season, we've identified five coaching candidates who would likely appear on Tennessee's shortlist. Note: The in-demand Ben Johnson doesn't make an appearance, because that's not realistic. Neither does Kyle Shanahan, who is staying with the San Francisco 49ers.
Joe Brady, Bills OC
Brady is young, but he has thrived as a play-caller at the collegiate and NFL level. His inexperience would potentially work against his candidacy in Nashville after the Titans just hired a young OC to be a first-time head coach, but Brady has called plays for four campaigns between his time at LSU and the Bills. His diversified offenses would be ideal for a Titans offense that lacks a clear-cut go-to playmaker.
Liam Coen, Buccaneers OC
The pitch for Liam Coen is easy for Titans fans. Do you hate Will Levis? Well in Coen's offense, Levis was a star at Kentucky and Coen has continued to improve the play of risk-taking quarterbacks as the OC of the Bucs. In Tampa, he's managed to help Baker Mayfield ascend to an even higher level than he was producing when now-Carolina Panthers HC Dave Canales was the Bucs' play-caller last season.
Brian Flores, Vikings DC
Flores has been a dominant DC with the Vikings, overseeing aggressive defense that aims to inflict as much pain and confusion as possible on opposing offenses. Flores is the rare defensive coach who might offer the Titans an answer at quarterback, because it would make sense for Sam Darnold to follow him to his next destination. Vikings QB coach Josh McCown is also an intriguing option to be his offensive coordinator.
Aaron Glenn, Lions DC
This has to be the offseason Glenn lands a head coaching gig, correct? Glenn has received interviews in recent cycles, but has been passed over. The Lions are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and both of Dan Campbell's coordinators (Glenn and Johnson) are expected to make the leap.
Tood Monken, Ravens OC
No coach has proven his scheme flexibility more than Monken. Over the past six years, he has gone from coaching Jameis Winston in Tampa Bay to Stetson Bennett in Georgia to Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. He has always gotten the most out of his players and if young coaching candidates are going to be penalized by Adams Strunk, then Monken would receive a boost for his experience.