AP source: Titans agree to hire Callahan as coach
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have agreed to hire Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator
Brian Callahan as their head coach, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Monday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn’t been finalized.
Callahan replaces Mike Vrabel, who was fired on Jan. 9 after six seasons and losing 18 of his final 24 games.
The 39-year-old Callahan had a virtual interview with Tennessee on Jan. 12, the first of 10 candidates to speak to the team. The Titans interviewed Callahan in person on Monday and decided to hire him, the person said.
The Titans declined to comment Monday night.
The NFL had not allowed in-person interviews of current league employees until Monday, the day after the divisional playoff round.
Callahan becomes the third coach hired since the season ended Jan. 7. New England promoted Jerod Mayo to replace Bill Belichick, and the Raiders elevated their interim coach, Antonio Pierce. Carolina, the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta, Seattle and Washington are still looking for coaches.
Callahan, son of former Raiders coach Bill Callahan, has 14 years of NFL experience. He has been the Bengals’ offensive coordinator since 2019 and is credited with aiding in the development of quarterback Joe Burrow. He will get the chance now to work with Will Levis, the quarterback Tennessee took at No. 33 overall last April.
The Titans also have the seventh overall draft pick and currently have the third-most salary cap space in the NFL. They believe they have their quarterback after Levis went 3-6 as a rookie. The 33rd pick overall out of Kentucky took over at the end of October after veteran Ryan Tannehill sprained his right ankle.
Callahan began his NFL career as a coaching assistant for the Broncos in 2010 before being promoted to offensive quality control coach in 2011, and then offensive assistant in 2013.
He was quarterbacks coach for the Lions in 201617 and then for the Raiders in 2018 before joining the Bengals.