Titans Turnover: Brian Callahan Firing Adds to Pattern of Instability

The Titans became the first NFL team to fire their head coach this season, letting go of Brian Callahan after a 1–5 start, and just 23 games in charge of the team (he exits with a 4–19 overall record).

The quick trigger from Tennessee controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk increases the organization’s recent high-turnover rate. Since December 2022, the Titans have made eight hirings and firings involving the head coach position and front office, as Albert Breer highlighted in a tweet:

December 2022

• GM Jon Robinson fired

January 2023

• Ran Carthon hired as GM

January 2024

• Head coach Mike Vrabel fired
• Assistant GM Chad Brinker promoted to president of football operations
• Brian Callahan hired as head coach

January 2025

• GM Ran Carthon fired
• Mike Borgonzi hired as GM

October 2025

• Head coach Brian Callahan fired

The Titans are 17–40 dating back to the 2022 season. Under the most recent structure, Callahan reported to Borgonzi, who reports to Brinker, who has full control of the roster and reports directly to Strunk. Brinker joined Tennessee in 2023, and he worked under Carthon for one year.

Unfortunate Timing

Callahan’s firing and the impending search for a new head coach come as the Titans look to capitalize on momentum around rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the team’s new $2.2 billion domed stadium that is set to open in 2027.

Unless Tennessee makes a surprising turnaround this season, its new head coach will be tasked with leading the franchise to its first winning record since 2021, when Vrabel oversaw a 12–5 team that earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC, before being eliminated by the Bengals in the divisional round of the playoffs.