Titans fire Brian Callahan: Who’s taking over, and the top candidates to replace him
The Tennessee Titans have fired head coach Brian Callahan after a 1–5 start, marking yet another major shakeup for a franchise struggling to find stability.
The Tennessee Titans have hit the reset button once again. After a 1–5 start to the season, the team fired head coach Brian Callahan on Monday, ending his brief tenure just six games into his second season. It marks yet another chapter in Tennessee’s ongoing search for stability.
The Titans fired Mike Vrabel and hired Brian Callahan. Callahan is 4-18 as head coach in a year and a half. Vrabel has already won four games with the Patriots this year and brings his 4-2 New England team to Nashville this week. Yikes. Titans are a dumpster fire.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 13, 2025
Attention now turns to who will take over next. From Kliff Kingsbury to Matt Nagy, several big-name candidates are already being floated as possible replacements.
Who is taking over for Brian Callahan as Titans head coach?
Since their 2021 playoff collapse as the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Titans have fired two head coaches and two general managers, going just 17–40 in that span. Callahan was hired last offseason to develop young quarterback Will Levis and later rookie Cameron Ward, but the offense never found its footing.
The Titans named Mike McCoy as the interim head coach as the search for a permanent replacement begins...one who can hopefully finally stabilize the struggling franchise.
Who is Mike McCoy?
Mike McCoy, 53, is a longtime NFL coach with over two decades of experience. Before joining the Titans as a senior offensive assistant, McCoy served as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers (2013–2016), posting a 27-37 record.
His coaching career began with the Carolina Panthers in 2000, and he later became the Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator under Josh McDaniels. McCoy has also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Broncos in various offensive roles. Now, he steps into a challenging situation, tasked with trying to stabilize a struggling 1-5 Titans team for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Potential Replacements for Brian Callahan
Joe Brady - Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator
Once hailed as one of football’s brightest young minds, Brady has rebuilt his reputation in Buffalo after a bumpy start in Carolina. His creative, quarterback-friendly schemes helped turn Josh Allen into an MVP, and that’s exactly the kind of magic the Titans need to unlock rookie QB Cameron Ward’s potential. At just 35, Brady could offer Tennessee the offensive spark they’ve lacked since Arthur Smith’s departure.
Kliff Kingsbury - Washington Commanders Offensive Coordinator
Kingsbury’s name is once again gaining traction after he helped Washington’s offense explode behind rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. Known for his fast-paced system, Kingsbury has proven he can get production out of young quarterbacks. His past as a head coach in Arizona wasn’t without flaws, including inconsistent results and defensive struggles, but his current resurgence could make him an appealing reclamation project in Tennessee.
Mike McCarthy - Former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach
McCarthy would bring something Tennessee hasn’t had in years: experience and stability. A Super Bowl winner with the Packers and a steady hand through multiple playoff runs, he knows how to manage egos, expectations, and pressure. The downside to McCarthy is that he has more of an old-school approach, and after years of experimenting with younger offensive hires, the Titans may hesitate to swing back toward a veteran voice. Still, his track record shouldn’t be ignored.
Jesse Minter - Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator
Minter is one of the NFL’s hottest rising names. After following Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to Los Angeles, he transformed the Chargers’ defense into one of the league’s toughest and most efficient groups. A cerebral, detail-oriented coach, Minter commands respect in the locker room and has shown he can develop talent quickly. If the Titans want to restore their identity through defense and discipline, Minter could be a dark horse candidate worth watching.
Matt Nagy – Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator
Tennessee GM Mike Borgonzi knows Nagy well from their shared Kansas City days, and that connection could matter. Nagy’s first head-coaching stint in Chicago was inconsistent, but his offensive philosophy and leadership have matured under Andy Reid’s wing. With two Super Bowl rings as part of Kansas City’s staff and a deep understanding of quarterback development, Nagy could get another shot.
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