Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan spent his first few weeks on the job assembling an impressive assistant coaching staff. The prized possession may have been luring his legendary father, Bill Callahan, to Tennessee to coach the offensive line, but the younger Callahan made various additional impressive hires.
Former player Dennard Wilson was hired as offensive coordinator. Nick Holz, a veteran coach with plenty of experience alongside both Callahan's, was named offensive coordinator. Some of the holdovers from Mike Vrabel's staff include Chris Harris and Justin Outten.
Despite that, mainstream media have low expectations for the 2024 Titans, often listing them as a bottom-five team in the league. If Callahan's Titans prove those expectations wrong, several of his assistants could be well-positioned to receive head coaching interest next offseason. We've identified three in particular.
Dennard Wilson - Titans DC
Tennessee's first-year defensive coordinator has said all the right things this offseason. Wilson has discussed fielding an aggressive defense that will prioritize turnovers while testing opposing receivers with tight press-man coverage. If Wilson's proclamations prove true, we're set to watch a Titans defense that blitzes opposing quarterbacks significantly more than Mike Vrabel and Shane Bowen did.
Wilson applied his trade under some very aggressive defensive-minded coaches, having worked under the likes of Gregg Williams and Todd Bowles. Some depth issues and questions linger, but the ingredients for a successful defensive recipe present. Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat will clog the middle. L'Jarius Sneed, Chido Awuzie, and Roger McCreary will play tight coverage, allowing the likes of Arden Key and Harold Landry to get after the quarterback.
Wilson's defense could take the NFL by surprise. The league is always searching for ascending, innovative coaching candidates. Wilson could land on several shortlists if Tennessee's defense outperforms expectations.
Bo Hardegree - Titans QB Coach
If Titans sophomore quarterback Will Levis takes the expected steps forward, his new position coach Bo Hardegree will earn recognition for his work with a QB that most national analysts don't believe is a legitimate franchise signal caller. It's worth noting Hardegree arrives in Nashville with a pretty good reputation intact.
Hardegree concluded the 2023 season as the interim offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite inheriting a rookie quarterback in Aidan O'Connell, Hardegree did quality work given the circumstances. After taking over play-calling duties in Week 9, the Raiders averaged 23 points per game — ranking inside the top half of the league.
The Jackson, Tennessee Native previously worked under Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels with the New England Patriots. There's familiarity with head coach Brian Callahan too, as they spent the 2024 campaign working together with the Denver Broncos. Considered somewhat of a Belichick disciple, Hardegree could be in line for a promotion next season if Levis establishes himself as a franchise QB.
Chris Harris - Titans Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach
Chris Harris is one of very few holdovers Brian Callahan decided to retain from Mike Vrabel's staff. And unlike other holdovers such as Justin Outten that saw a coaching role change, Harris returns as the cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator. It was a terrific decision by Callahan.
Harris is an ascending coach that has received interest from various teams around the league for a defensive coordinator role in consecutive offseasons. He also got a raw deal from the Titans last season. He was coaching a lackluster cornerbacks room that featured Kristian Fulton and Sean Murphy-Bunting miscast as starting corners.
Harris' already stellar reputation could receive a boost this season. The cornerback room has been upgraded to include L'Jarius Sneed and Chido Awuzie alongside Roger McCreary. Don't be shocked if this is Harris' final season in two-tone blue.
