Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan appears to be emerging as a name to keep an eye on in the Titans' search for a new head coach.
But that search could be delayed by the success of two playoff coordinators and the apparent lack of interest in a third.
of Titans, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Both Falcons plan to bring Callahan in for a second interview this week, according to NFL Network.
Callahan is one of them. 10 Titans candidates I once interviewed to replace Mike Vrabel.
Callahan, who served as the Bengals' offensive coordinator for the past five seasons, led Cincinnati to the AFC Championship in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Although Callahan isn't the Bengals' play-caller, he still helped Cincinnati rank in the top 10 in points and passing yards in both 2021 and 2022.
Callahan, the son of former NFL head coach Bill Callahan (currently Cleveland's offensive line coach), has also received praise for his work with backup quarterback Jake Browning this year. Browning, a former undrafted free agent, had never played in an NFL game before this season. However, due to an injury to Joe Burrow, Browning appeared in nine games and started seven, throwing for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 98.4.
Prior to Jan. 22, teams were only allowed to conduct virtual interviews with coaches currently under contract, such as Callahan. His second in-person interview is now allowed, with some exceptions. Teams may not conduct second interviews of any kind, whether in-person or virtually, with coaches of teams competing in conference championships.
That means two candidates the Titans interviewed last week, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike McDonald, are off limits this week. No second interviews will be allowed until January 29th at the earliest.
of The Titans were also interested. Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was hired by a total of six teams to become the team's third playoff coordinator. Johnson interviewed Atlanta, Carolina, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle, Washington, but not the Titans. It's unclear why Johnson didn't meet with Tennessee.
But since Johnson did nothing, beginning The interview with the Titans took place by midnight on January 21st, so the team won't be with him until after the NFC Championship (if the Lions lose on Sunday) or after the Super Bowl (if the Lions win on Sunday). I can't talk at all.
Bottom line: It seems highly unlikely that Johnson, one of the hottest candidates on the market, will become the Titans' next head coach.
Another thing to keep in mind as the Titans' search progresses is that to meet the NFL's Rooney Rule requirements, organizations searching for a head coach must directly contact at least two external candidates who are people of color. This means that it is necessary to conduct an interview. /or a woman takes the job.
The Titans have had one such in-person interview so far with former Stanford head coach David Shaw on Sunday.
An in-person interview with Glenn (not available this week due to the NFC Championship), Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson or Carolina offensive coordinator Thomas Brown would satisfy the Rooney Rule.
