3 Titans coaches who can bolster head coaching chances in 2024
By Justin Melo
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan spent his first few weeks on the job assembling an impressive assistant coaching staff. The prized possession may have been luring his legendary father, Bill Callahan, to Tennessee to coach the offensive line, but the younger Callahan made various additional impressive hires.
Former player Dennard Wilson was hired as offensive coordinator. Nick Holz, a veteran coach with plenty of experience alongside both Callahan's, was named offensive coordinator. Some of the holdovers from Mike Vrabel's staff include Chris Harris and Justin Outten.
Despite that, mainstream media have low expectations for the 2024 Titans, often listing them as a bottom-five team in the league. If Callahan's Titans prove those expectations wrong, several of his assistants could be well-positioned to receive head coaching interest next offseason. We've identified three in particular.
Dennard Wilson - Titans DC
Tennessee's first-year defensive coordinator has said all the right things this offseason. Wilson has discussed fielding an aggressive defense that will prioritize turnovers while testing opposing receivers with tight press-man coverage. If Wilson's proclamations prove true, we're set to watch a Titans defense that blitzes opposing quarterbacks significantly more than Mike Vrabel and Shane Bowen did.
Wilson applied his trade under some very aggressive defensive-minded coaches, having worked under the likes of Gregg Williams and Todd Bowles. Some depth issues and questions linger, but the ingredients for a successful defensive recipe present. Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat will clog the middle. L'Jarius Sneed, Chido Awuzie, and Roger McCreary will play tight coverage, allowing the likes of Arden Key and Harold Landry to get after the quarterback.
Wilson's defense could take the NFL by surprise. The league is always searching for ascending, innovative coaching candidates. Wilson could land on several shortlists if Tennessee's defense outperforms expectations.