The Tennessee Titans wasted no time requesting interviews with head coaching candidates on Monday, one day after their 2025 season officially concluded. The initial list includes four candidates, including Kansas City Chiefs coordinators Steve Spagnuolo and Matt Nagy. The outlier request is one that would weaken an AFC South rival.
The Titans officially submitted a request for a virtual discussion with Lou Anarumo, per Tom Pelissero. Anarumo currently serves as the Indianapolis Colts' defensive coordinator. Despite being divisional rivals, the Colts can not deny the Titans' request, per NFL rules.
Anarumo is another underwhelming option in what's been a disappointing first string of Titans interview requests. The standalone positive is that the Colts would be left scrambling if the Titans hired Anarumo. That's obviously not a good enough reason to justify a potentially boring hire.
Titans request HC interview with AFC South rival DC Lou Anarumo
Anarumo was named Indianapolis' defensive coordinator prior to this season. The Colts started out strong with an NFL-best 7-1 record. Despite that, the Colts historically lost seven consecutive games to conclude the campaign, missing the playoffs at 8-9.
It would be disingenuous to blame Anarumo for that. The Colts suffered several injuries at quarterback, including a season-ending one to then-Comeback Player of the Year candidate Daniel Jones. Anarumo's defense was also littered with injuries that limited their performance down the stretch, including one to star cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, who was acquired at the NFL trade deadline.
The 59-year-old Anarumo has never led an NFL franchise. He broke into the league as the Miami Dolphins' defensive backs coach in 2012. Anarumo has always been limited to being a defensive coordinator or position coach throughout his coaching tenure.
The Titans need to nail this hire. The development of rookie quarterback Cam Ward is at risk. There's no denying that Anarumo possesses a brilliant defensive mind, but trusting him to make the leap to head coach of an NFL franchise with a dynamic young quarterback would be risky and uninspiring.
Anarumo may be a stabilizing figure after the Brian Callahan disaster, but the Titans should aim higher.