Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is entering his second season at the helm, where he will need to be better than he was a year ago.
Callahan took over for Mike Vrabel in January 2024. Vrabel was fired after six seasons with the Titans, where he made three playoff appearances, including an AFC Championship Game.
Callahan started out his Titans tenure on the wrong foot, finishing 3-14 and earning the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. That's why it's appropriate for CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin to place him at No. 32 in his head coach rankings.
"We shouldn't fault Callahan too much for inheriting an overhauled roster, but after he was unable to corral quarterback Will Levis' riskiest tendencies, there's a lot riding on Cam Ward essentially controlling himself as Tennessee's new face of the franchise," Benjamin wrote.
Callahan was part of the third tier in Benjamin's ranking, which was titled "Unproven or underwhelming." The other coaches in the tier alongside Callahan were Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys), Brian Daboll (New York Giants), Kellen Moore (New Orleans Saints), Aaron Glenn (New York Jets), Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons), Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals), Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears), Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers), Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts) and Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks).
Callahan is a talented coach, otherwise he wouldn't have been given the job with the Titans to begin with. He struggled with the personnel at his disposal last year, but there are improvements made in that department.
The Titans knew change was needed after the season when they went 3-14, but they chose not to make the swap with Callahan.
However, if the Titans struggle again in 2025, it will be hard for Callahan to dodge the pink slip again.
Brian Callahan faces uphill battle to prove himself as Tennessee Titans aim for redemption in 2024 season
As the Tennessee Titans gear up for the 2024 NFL season, head coach Brian Callahan finds himself at a critical juncture. After a challenging debut season, Callahan enters his second year with the weight of expectations pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Callahan took over the coaching reins from Mike Vrabel in January 2024, following Vrabel’s dismissal after six seasons that included three playoff appearances and a trip to the AFC Championship Game. Unfortunately for Callahan, his inaugural season was marred by disappointment. The Titans limped to a dismal 3-14 record, earning them the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
This lackluster performance has not gone unnoticed, with CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin ranking Callahan as the least effective head coach in the league at No. 32. Benjamin noted that while it is essential to consider the challenges Callahan faced with an overhauled roster, the inability to rein in quarterback Will Levis’ risky play style raises significant concerns. With Cam Ward now stepping in as the franchise’s new leader, much hinges on Callahan’s ability to foster discipline and development.
Benjamin categorized Callahan among a group of coaches deemed “Unproven or underwhelming,” alongside notable names such as Brian Schottenheimer, Brian Daboll, and Kellen Moore. This classification reflects the skepticism surrounding Callahan’s capacity to turn the Titans’ fortunes around.
Despite the setbacks, Callahan’s appointment as head coach was not without merit. His coaching acumen is evident, and the Titans recognized the need for continuity rather than a complete overhaul after their disastrous season. The organization made significant changes to the roster, indicating a commitment to improvement while still backing Callahan as the man to lead the charge.
