The Tennessee Titans kickstarted their head coaching search into high gear on Monday morning. General manager Mike Borgonzi has submitted a handful of requests to conduct an initial round of virtual interviews with prospective candidates. Perhaps the most underwhelming is Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
It's not surprising that Spagnuolo is on the Titans' coaching shortlist, but it is disappointing. His name was first mentioned in the Titans' search for Brian Callahan's successor several months ago. Borgonzi made that official on Monday by requesting a virtual discussion with Spagnuolo.
Borgonzi and Spagnuolo are inherently familiar with one another. The pair spent six campaigns together (2019-24) in Kansas City with the Chiefs, winning three Super Bowls. The existing relationship is partially why the Titans are interviewing Spagnuolo, but he should not be considered a legitimate contender for the gig.
Titans HC request for Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo is underwhelming
Some coaches are suited as coordinators. Spagnuolo, one of the NFL's most brilliant defensive minds, appears to belong in this category. Spagnuolo possessed one previous opportunity as a full-time head coach. It was a disastrous and disappointing tenure with the St. Louis Rams.
Spagnuolo went 10-38 across three campaigns with the Rams. That included one-win (2009) and two-win (2011) seasons with the likes of Marc Bulger and No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford as his quarterbacks. Later in 2017, Spagnuolo became the New York Giants' interim head coach. He was promoted from defensive coordinator and went 1-3 in the Giants' final four contests.
The Chiefs just concluded a disappointing 6-11 season. Changes at both coordinator spots are within the realm of possibility in Kansas City. Their 2025 campaign did little to derail Spagnuolo's excellent reputation as a DC, but certainly didn't improve his resume as a Titans head coaching candidate either.
It's hard to envision a more underwhelming Titans' head coaching option than Spagnuolo. He orchestrated one of the worst head coaching jobs since the turn of the century. Spagnuolo's relationship with Borgonzi makes him a candidate, but the Titans should strongly consider their alternatives.