Brian Callahan’s first Titans staff will include a number of outside hires, including his father, offensive line coach Bill Callahan, and a few holdovers. Among the holdovers are two staff members who have previously worked as coordinators or on the OC/DC carousel.
Last week, we heard that the Titans were preventing Justin Outten from being interviewed. On Tuesday, the team announced that Outten will join Brian Callahan’s 2024 staff as tight ends coach. This will be a change for Outten, who was the team’s run-game coordinator in 2023. In addition to Outten, the Titans have retained assistant Chris Harris.
Outten was the Broncos’ offensive coordinator in 2022, largely in a non-play-calling role — save for the final two games after Nathaniel Hackett was fired — during the AFC West team’s terrible season. Outten interviewed for the Ravens’ offensive coordinator position in 2023, but ended up in Tennessee. Prior to his time in Denver, Outten worked for the Packers and was hired by Mike Vrabel. Callahan’s first staff will include a couple of these.
Harris interviewed for the Bears and Jaguars’ DC positions this year and visited with the Texans and 49ers about their DC openings in 2023. Harris, 41, coached the Commanders’ defensive backs for three seasons under Ron Rivera. In 2023, the Titans tempted him away. Harris will continue to serve as Tennessee’s defensive pass-game coordinator and cornerbacks coach. This will be Harris and DC Dennard Wilson’s first time working together.
The Titans have also retained assistant special teams coach Anthony Levine, assistant defensive line coach Clinton McMillan, defensive quality control coach Lori Locust, and former Tennessee tight end Luke Stocker as offensive assistants. The Titans are currently looking for a special teams coordinator, but Levine will report to an unnamed assistant. Stocker, who played for the Titans from 2017 to 2018, and Levine will retire after the 2021 season.
Randy Jordan, one of Tennessee’s previously unknown new hires, will take over as running backs coach. Jordan, a former Raiders backup running back, has spent the last ten years as Washington’s running backs coach. Jordan was in charge of Jay Gruden’s and Rivera’s tenures as head coaches. Payton McCollum will depart Indianapolis for Nashville, where he will work as an assistant wide receivers coach for the Tennessee Titans. Ben Bloom will also join the Titans as their OLB coach. Bloom spent the previous four seasons in Cleveland and will serve as Myles Garrett’s position coach in 2023. Bloom formerly worked for nine seasons on Jason Garrett’s Cowboys staff. Aside from Myles Garrett’s Defensive Player of the Year season, the Browns signed former Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire to replace Bloom last month.
Tennessee will also rehire Tracy Rocker for a second stint on the staff. The Titans have signed Rocker as their defensive line coach, a position he previously held under Mike Munchak from 2011 to 2013. Rocker was also the Tennessee Volunteers’ defensive line coach from 2017 to 2019. Rocker, 57, has a history with Wilson. The two worked together on the Eagles’ staff from 2021 to 2022, with Rocker returning this season as the team’s defensive line coach.
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 Titans rebuild begins under Ran Carthon, Brian Callahan
The Tennessee Titans’ 2023 season did not go as planned, as they went on two consecutive three-game losing streaks and finished 6-11, their worst record since a three-win season in 2015.
General manager Ran Carthon and head coach Mike Vrabel simply couldn’t agree on roster-building strategy or the Titans’ competitive outlook; Carthon wanted to rebuild the roster from the ground up with the goal of competing for championships a few years down the road, whereas Vrabel believed the team could compete now with some retooling. As a result, the organization decided to break ways with the latter.
Now, first-year head coach Brian Callahan, who spent the previous five seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator, will collaborate with Carthon to remodel a Titans club that placed 28th in total offense and 18th in total defense.
Brian Callahan’s #Titans staff so far:
Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson
Corners/ Passing game coordinator Chris Harris
Safeties Steve Jackson
Inside linebackers Frank Bush
Offensive coordinator Nick Holz
Offensive line Bill Callahan
Tight ends Justin Outten
Wide…
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) February 10, 2024
Here’s everything you need know about Tennessee’s offseason:
PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE: $73.9 million (second-highest in the NFL).
Free Agents: Offense: QB Ryan Tannehill, RBs Derrick Henry, Julius Chestnut; FB Trevon Wesco; WRs Chris Moore and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine; OL Aaron Brewer, Chris Hubbard, Corey Levin, Calvin Throckmorton, and long snapper Morgan Cox
Defense: DEs Denico Autry, Trevis Gipson, T.K. McClendon; DTs Marlon Davidson, Ross Blacklock; LBs Azeez Al-Shaair, Joe Jones, Jack Gibbens; CBs Kristian Fulton, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Chris Williamson; Safeties Terrell Edmunds and K’Von Wallace
Outlook: Fortunately for the Titans, Tannehill and Henry’s heir apparents, Will Levis and Tyjae Spears, are already on the roster, and none of the team’s remaining offensive free agents are critical parts to sparking a Titans rebuild. However, there are a few defensive talents who could help Tennessee in 2024.
This season, Al-Shaair led the Titans with a career-high 163 tackles, and at 26, he’s still young enough to provide fresh vigor to the defensive unit while also functioning as an experienced leader. Autry had a career-high 11.5 sacks and 36 hurries in 2023, and despite being 33 years old, he plays an important role in setting the edge for Tennessee’s pass rush, and he’s also good enough to be sent to a contender at the trade deadline if the team decides to do so.
Murphy-Bunting was the Titans’ top cover corner this season (eight passes defensed, two interceptions), and he’s another guy (26 years old) who is young enough to help lead a rebuild while also serving as a defensive position group leader. Tennessee has the cap space to keep all three players while also bringing in younger, less expensive players.
2024 DRAFT PICKS: Round 1 (ranked seventh overall) | Round 2 | Round 4 | Round 5 (via Tampa Bay) | Round 6 | Round 7 (via Carolina) | Round 7 (via Philadelphia)
TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): OL, WR, CB, Edge-rusher, and RB Tennessee’s most pressing need is undoubtedly the offensive line, with wide receiver coming in a close second. In addition to 263 pressures, 154 hurries, and 58 quarterback hits, the Titans gave up the fourth-most sacks (64) in the NFL.
Drafting a cornerstone offensive lineman, such as Notre Dame’s Joe Alt or Penn State’s Ola Fashanu, is an excellent approach to keep Levis upright and provide Spears with running lanes. If Tennessee’s desired tackle is not available at No. 7 (there is good depth and a great lineman may be found in Round 2), expect LSU receiver Malik Nabers or Washington’s Rome Odunze to be selected.
Levis needs more weapons than DeAndre Hopkins, and any wideout would be an excellent addition on the outside.
I finished my Joe Alt tape study today, and I feel he can quickly become a very good left tackle in the pros. Patient, composed, and extremely strong. Excellent at recognizing tricks and twists. Never appear anxious or hasty. Two sacks have been allowed in the last two years. Dude is simply rock solid.
