Tennessee Titans updated coaching search tracker: David Shaw will interview, per report
The Tennessee Titans began requesting interviews with coaching candidates on Jan. 10, a day after firing Mike Vrabel following a six-year tenure.
Tennessee cannot interview candidates in-person until Jan. 22 for assistant coaches whose teams aren't still alive in the playoffs, but can interview virtually until then.
Seven teams currently have an opening following the surprising exit of Pete Carroll in Seattle.
Here's who have reportedly been requested for an interview, along with some information about those prospective coaches:
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Tennessee Titans coaching candidates tracker: Who Titans have requested to interview
Thomas Brown, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator
Interviewed with the Titans on Jan. 18, per team
Age: 37
Head coaching experience? None.
Panthers offensive rankings in 2023: 32nd in total yards, 31st in points, 31st in DVOA
Coaching resume: Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator (2023), Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and tight ends coach (2022), Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and running backs coach (2021), Los Angeles Rams running backs coach (2020), South Carolina Gamecocks running backs coach (2019), Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator and running backs coach (2016-18), Georgia Bulldogs running backs coach (2015), Wisconsin Badgers running backs coach (2014), Marshall Thundering Herd running backs coach (2013), UT Chattanooga running backs coach (2012)
What to know: Brown was a part of a chaotic 2023 for the Panthers offense in Year 1 under Bryce Young. Panthers coach Frank Reich was the main playcaller, then ceded the responsibility to Brown, then took it back before being fired 12 games into the season. The Panthers offense was not good all season, a negative mark on Brown's solid resume. He was a part of the Rams' Super Bowl-winning coaching staff for three seasons and has a several years of college coaching experience. Brown could need a year's separation from the 2023 Panthers to improve his chances in the future.
Brian Callahan, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator
Interviewed on Jan. 12, per team; contacted for a second, in-person interview per ESPN
Age: 39
Head coaching experience? None.
Bengals offensive rankings in 2023: 22nd in total yards, 16th in points, 11th in DVOA
Coaching resume: Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator (2019-23), Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach (2018), Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach (2016-17), Denver Broncos offensive assistant (2013-15), Denver Broncos offensive quality control assistant (2011-12), Denver Broncos coaching assistant (2010)
What to know: Callahan, the son of former Raiders coach Bill Callahan, got his coaching start with the Broncos through John Fox's tenure and into the Super Bowl 50 title under Gary Kubiak. He also worked as the quarterbacks coach with Matthew Stafford in Detroit for two seasons and Derek Carr with the Raiders in 2018 before becoming the Bengals' offensive coordinator on Zac Taylor's first staff. He's been at the position since then, collaborating with Taylor. Callahan doesn't call the plays, but Taylor has lauded Callahan's impact on the offense during game days and in game planning.
Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
Interview request reported by ESPN on Jan. 10
Age: 51
Head coaching experience? None.
Lions defensive rankings in 2023: 19th in total yards allowed, 23rd in points allowed, 13th in DVOA
Coaching resume: Detroit Lions defensive coordinator (2021-23), New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach (2016-20), Cleveland Browns assistant defensive backs coach (2014-15)
What to know: The Lions defense has been up-and-down in 2023. Detroit allowed the sixth-most yards per play this past season and the sixth-most passing yards allowed despite ranking first in the NFL in quarterback knockdowns. Glenn's work with the secondary in New Orleans was highly regarded before he became the defensive coordinator in Detroit.
Glenn was also a 15-year pro as a cornerback from 1994-2008 with three Pro Bowl nods.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
Interview request reported by NFL Network on Jan. 10
Age: 37
Head coaching experience? None.
Lions offensive rankings in 2023: 3rd in total yards, 5th in points, 5th in DVOA
Coaching resume: Detroit Lions offensive coordinator (2022-23), Detroit Lions tight ends coach (2020-21), Detroit Lions offensive quality control coach (2019), Miami Dolphins wide receivers coach (2018), Miami Dolphins assistant wide receivers coach (2016-17), Miami Dolphins assistant quarterbacks coach (2013-15), Miami Dolphins offensive assistant (2012), Boston College tight ends coach (2011), Boston College graduate assistant (2009-10)
What to know: Johnson has turned the Lions offense into one of the league's best with Jared Goff at quarterback. Goff has re-established himself as a top-half-of-the-league quarterback under Johnson. Johnson could have been a major part of the coaching carousel last winter but opted to say in Detroit.
Brian Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator
Interview request reported by Bleacher Report on Jan. 11
Age: 36
Head coaching experience? None.
Eagles offensive rankings in 2023: 8th in total yards, 7th in points, 10th in DVOA
Coaching resume: Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator (2023), Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach (2021-22), Florida Gators offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2020), Florida Gators quarterbacks coach (2018-19), Houston Cougars offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2017), Mississippi State quarterbacks coach (2014-16), Utah Utes offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2012-13), Utah Utes quarterbacks coach (2010-11)
What to know: Johnson was a young, up-and-coming coach almost immediately after his playing career, spending 11 years in college coaching as either a quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator. After coordinating the dynamic Gators offense in 2020 to the SEC Championship Game, Johnson jumped to the NFL and has been on Nick Sirianni's staff in Philadelphia for the last three seasons. Johnson has been a constant voice for Jalen Hurts as he's progressed into one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. The Eagles' offensive numbers have taken a small step back in 2023 with Johnson as offensive coordinator after Shane Steichen took the Colts head coaching job, though Hurts' health and other factors have impacted Philadelphia as it slumped to the postseason.
Johnson is the only Titans coaching candidate to be on the cover of the NCAA Football video game, donning the cover of NCAA Football 2010 in 2009. Johnson was a three-year starter at quarterback for Utah from 2005-08, leading the Utes to the Sugar Bowl in 2008.
Mike Kafka, New York Giants offensive coordinator
Interviewed on Jan. 12, per team
Age: 36
Head coaching experience? None.
Giants offensive rankings in 2023: 29th in total yards, 30th in points, 30th in DVOA
Coaching resume: New York Giants offensive coordinator (2022-23), Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator (2020-21), Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach (2018-19), Kansas City Chiefs offensive quality control coach (2017), Northwestern graduate assistant (2016)
What to know: Kafka was the Chiefs' quarterbacks coach during Patrick Mahomes' first four years as a starter, then became the Giants offensive coordinator after New York hired Brian Daboll as head coach. Kafka has been the Giants playcaller the last two seasons. Daniel Jones had his best season as a pro in 2022 as the Giants went to the playoffs. Last season, the Giants offense regressed even before Jones was lost for the season after six games and was ranked among the worst units in football.
Mike MacDonald, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator
Interviewed on Jan. 17, per team
Age: 36
Head coaching experience? None
Ravens defensive rankings in 2023: 6th in total yards allowed, 1st in points allowed, 1st in DVOA
Coaching resume: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator (2022-23), Michigan defensive coordinator (2021), Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach (2018-20), Baltimore Ravens defensive backs coach (2017), Baltimore Ravens defensive assistant (2015-16), Baltimore Ravens coaching intern (2014), Georgia quality control coach (2011-13), Georgia graduate assistant (2010)
What to know: MacDonald is a well-regarded defensive playcaller even at his relative young age. He led Michigan's defense in 2021 as the Wolverines earned their first appearance in the College Football Playoff, then moved from Harbaugh brother to Harbaugh brother in 2022 by joining the Ravens. MacDonald's Ravens defenses have been able to keep opposing offenses off balance despite not having an elite pass rusher or shutdown corner. Baltimore led the league in points allowed and takeaways in 2023, a major reason why the Ravens are the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach
Interviewed on Jan. 13, per team
Age: 45
Head coaching experience? Pierce was the interim head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders for the final nine weeks in 2023, going 5-4.
Coaching resume: Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach (2023), Las Vegas Raiders linebackers coach (2022-23), Arizona State defensive coordinator, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator (2021), Arizona State defensive coordinator, associate head coach, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator (2020) Arizona State linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator (2018-19)
What to know: Pierce's performance as interim coach in Vegas has led to a push to make him the full-time coach by Raiders players and national media. But that doesn't seem to be the case initially. Pierce's 5-4 record included the Christmas Day upset of the Chiefs in Arrowhead and a blowout win in a short week against the Chargers. Pierce has two years of defensive playcalling experience in college, but none in the NFL. If hired, he'd likely be a CEO-type coach similar to Vrabel.
Pierce played nine years in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl in 2007 with the Giants and earning one Pro Bowl nod.
Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator
Interviewed on Jan. 17, per team
Age: 53
Head coaching experience? Quinn was the Atlanta Falcons head coach from 2015-20, going 43-42 in six seasons with two playoff berths and a Super Bowl appearance.
Cowboys defensive rankings in 2023: 5th in total yards allowed, 5th in points allowed, 5th in DVOA
Coaching resume: Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator (2021-23), Atlanta Falcons head coach (2015-20), Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator (2013-14), Florida Gators defensive coordinator and defensive line coach (2011-12), Seattle Seahawks defensive line coach (2009-10), New York Jets defensive line coach (2007-08), Miami Dolphins defensive line coach (2005-06), San Francisco 49ers defensive line coach (2003-04), San Francisco 49ers defensive quality control coach (2001-02), Hofstra defensive coordinator (2000), Hofstra defensive line coach (1996-2000), VMI defensive line coach (1995), William & Mary defensive line coach (1994)
What to know: Quinn has helped the Cowboys defense improve to a near-elite unit over the last three seasons. His work as a defensive coordinator with Dallas and Seattle has been well-regarded. Quinn's time in Atlanta has been a little more scrutinized, nothing more so than the Super Bowl loss to Atlanta in February 2017. The Falcons blew a 28-3 lead and lost to the Patriots.
Fair or not, the Falcons were never the same after that loss and after offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan took the 49ers coaching job. Atlanta declined after 2016, making the playoffs just once since then. If Quinn is to become a head coach again, can he make another dynamite offensive coordinator hire?
David Shaw, former Stanford football coach
Interview upcoming, ESPN reported on Jan. 19
Age: 51
Head coaching experience? Not in the NFL, though he was Jim Harbaugh's successor at Stanford and spent 12 seasons there as head coach.
Coaching resume: Stanford Cardinal head coach (2011-2022), Stanford Cardinal offensive coordinator (2007-2010), University of San Diego passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach (2006), Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach (2002-2005), Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach (2002-2004), Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach (2001), Oakland Raiders quality control coach (1998-2000), Philadelphia Eagles quality control coach (1997)
What to know: Shaw did not coach in 2023 after resigning as Stanford head coach following the 2022 season. After posting five 10-win seasons in his first six seasons, Stanford missed the postseason four straight seasons before Shaw's departure from his alma mater. Shaw coached Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey among others as offensive coordinator and head coach at Stanford. Shaw was a part of Jim Harbaugh's staffs at Stanford and San Diego; before then, he began his coaching career in the NFL with assistant stints at Philadelphia, Oakland and Baltimore.
Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans offensive coordinator
Interviewed on Jan. 18, per team
Age: 36
Head coaching experience? None.
Texans offensive rankings in 2023: 12th in total yards, 13th in points, 14th in DVOA
Coaching resume: Houston Texans offensive coordinator (2023), San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator (2022), San Francisco 49ers passing game specialist (2021), San Francisco 49ers offensive assistant (2019-20), San Francisco 49ers defensive quality control coach (2017-18), Washington Commanders defensive assistant (2011-13)
What to know: Slowik helped the Texans to the AFC South title as offensive coordinator and playcaller and aided C.J. Stroud in becoming the likely Rookie of the Year. Before his one season of work, Slowik has primarily worked for a Shanahan. He spent three seasons on Mike Shanahan's staff in Washington as a defensive assistant, then worked as an analyst for Pro Football Focus after Shanahan and the staff was dismissed. Slowik returned to coaching in 2017 as a part of Kyle Shanahan's first staff as 49ers coach. Slowik progressed from defensive quality coach to passing game coordinator in six seasons before he was hired by DeMeco Ryans at Houston last winter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans updated coaching search tracker: Who are Titans interviewing?
