The Tennessee Titans have hired the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their new head coach.
Callahan’s appointment was one of several moves announced by the Titans on Wednesday as they finalised their football structure for the 2024 season. Ran Carthon has been promoted to executive vice president/general manager, while Chad Brinker has been made president of football operations.
The Titans fired previous head coach Mike Vrabel after six years in charge earlier this month, having missed the playoffs for a second straight season by finishing the 2023 campaign with a 6-11 record.
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Callahan moves to Tennessee after spending five years with the Bengals, who reached Super Bowl LVI and lost the 2022 AFC Championship game during his time with the franchise.
In a statement released on the team’s website, controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said: “This is an exciting time for our franchise, and we’re thrilled to have Brian as our head coach.
Welcome to Nashville, Coach Callahan! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Zxue3diJVG
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 24, 2024
“We went through a thorough candidate search and Brian stood out as the best person to lead our football team. Brian has a track record of success and a range of experience that has prepared him for this opportunity.
“His football knowledge and his enthusiasm for the game really stand out, and beyond that, we think his ability to lead will make him the ideal fit for our franchise.
“If you look at his history, Brian has been a part of a Super Bowl-winning team (Denver, 2015) and another team that advanced to the Super Bowl (Cincinnati, 2021).
“He’s worked in a variety of dynamic offenses with top-flight quarterbacks. At each step of his career, he’s shown the flexibility and intelligence to make an impact.”
As an offensive assistant with the Denver Broncos, Callahan worked with Peyton Manning during the final season of his glittering career in 2015, which ended with the team winning Super Bowl 50.
The 39-year-old has also earned plaudits for his work with the likes of Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr and Joe Burrow, and his background as a quarterback coach was likely of interest to the Titans as they look to build around Will Levis.
The product of winning. Best of luck, Brian pic.twitter.com/Dox79U9zNb
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 24, 2024
In addition to Callahan’s appointment, the Titans confirmed Carthon’s promotion would see him take responsibility for roster control, personnel decisions including draft and free agency acquisitions, scouting and oversight of Callahan and the rest of the coaching staff.
“Over the past year, Ran has impressed me and our staff with his innovative approach to roster building,” Strunk said of Carthon, who was initially hired as general manager last January.
“Ran’s exceptional reputation around the league as a talent evaluator and culture builder was a clear competitive advantage during last year’s free agency and draft process, as well as our recent search for a head coach.”
Brinker, meanwhile, will oversee analytics and strategy, as well as team operations including security, video, equipment, and grounds.
