The Tennessee Titans will enter Sunday's matchup versus the San Francisco 49ers nursing a 2-11 record. There are four games remaining in what's been a hopeless, wasted campaign. General manager Mike Borgonzi will begin the official search for the next head coach once the season's merciful conclusion arrives.
Borgonzi fired Brian Callahan six games into the season. His father, Bill Callahan, resigned as offensive line coach. The rest of the Titans' coaching staff remained intact, in limbo along with interim head coach Mike McCoy.
The expectation is that the Titans will essentially fire the majority of the coaching staff once their regular-season finale concludes. While a small handful of assistants may earn consideration to be retained, the biggest question will surround the fate of defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Wilson isn't likely to return to the Titans in 2026, and that isn't totally fair given the job he's done.
Titans DC Dennard Wilson's fate hangs in the balance
The Titans have constantly hamstrung Wilson all season. They traded cornerbacks Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee. With L'Jarius Sneed on IR, Wilson had to completely revamp his strategy at cornerback, losing all three starters he began the season with.
His most productive EDGE rusher, Dre'Mont Jones, was also traded at the deadline. Understandably, Borgonzi and Chad Brinker were preparing for the future by trading players away who weren't in their long-term plans in exchange for draft capital. That did Wilson's immediate results no favors though.
Despite that, Wilson has the Titans fielding a very respectable defense. He has shuffled rookies Marcus Harris and Kevin Winston Jr. into new roles in recent weeks due to injuries. Darrell Baker Jr., who wasn't a lock to make the 53-man roster in August, is the team's top cornerback.
Sophomore linebacker Cedric Gray has developed into a high-end defender. Despite lacking talent and long-term answers at the pass-rushing positions, the Titans are tied for 13th in sacks with 32.0 in 13 games, having already matched last season's sack total. They rank 18th against the run, allowing 122.5 rushing yards per contest. Jeffery Simmons is playing at an All-Pro level under Wilson.
Whether the Titans hire an offensive or defensive-minded head coach, it's difficult to see Wilson returning. An offensive-minded leader would likely have a rolodex of defensive contacts to tap into. The defensive-minded option would likely want to install a scheme that differs from Wilson's.
Fans have been petitioning for the Titans' next head coach to retain special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel. Perhaps Wilson deserves similar treatment from the fanbase. Whoever Borgonzi hires as head coach should at least provide Wilson with an opportunity to state his case.