In a decisive mid-season shake-up, the Tennessee Titans have officially fired Brian Callahan after the team’s poor 1–5 start to the 2025 NFL season. The move comes as the Titans continue to struggle for identity and consistency on both sides of the ball. Veteran coach Mike McCoy has been promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Callahan’s tenure ends after less than two years, finishing with an overall record of 4–19 since taking over in January 2024. Once viewed as a promising offensive mind, the young coach couldn’t translate his previous success with the Cincinnati Bengals into results in Tennessee.
What Led to the Dismissal?
1. A Record That Spoke for Itself
The Titans entered Week 7 sitting near the bottom of the AFC standings, with one of the league’s least productive offenses and an inconsistent defense. Despite showing flashes of improvement early in the preseason, the regular season told a different story — missed tackles, red-zone inefficiency, and a lack of leadership on the field.
Brian Callahan’s teams failed to find an offensive rhythm, ranking among the lowest in scoring and passing yards for consecutive seasons. The franchise’s management, including President Chad Brinker and General Manager Mike Borgonzi, made it clear that accountability and performance were non-negotiable.
In their joint statement, they emphasized the decision was based on “the need for progress and long-term stability.”
2. Relinquishing Play-Calling Duties
After the Titans’ 0–3 start this season, Callahan gave up his offensive play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree in an attempt to shake things up. While the decision was meant to simplify operations and allow Callahan to focus on leadership, it backfired — the team still failed to execute effectively in clutch moments, and confidence inside the locker room began to fade.
3. Locker Room Tension and Low Morale
Multiple reports suggested that team morale had dipped significantly in recent weeks. Veterans voiced frustration over game plans and preparation, while younger players struggled to adapt to shifting systems.
The breaking point reportedly came after the Titans’ Week 6 loss to the Raiders — a game that highlighted both offensive stagnation and questionable game management. Within 48 hours, the team made its decision public: Callahan was out.
Mike McCoy Takes Over as Interim Head Coach
With Brian Callahan fired, the Titans turned to an experienced hand — Mike McCoy, their senior offensive assistant.
Background and Credentials
McCoy brings decades of experience to the table. He previously served as head coach of the San Diego Chargers (2013–2016), where he guided them to playoff appearances and worked with elite quarterbacks like Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning during earlier coaching stints.
In 2025, McCoy joined Tennessee to assist with offensive development and mentor the coaching staff. Known for his calm leadership style and deep offensive knowledge, McCoy’s immediate challenge is to stabilize a struggling team while preparing rookie quarterback Cam Ward for future success.
Challenges Ahead for McCoy
Stepping into the role midseason is never easy — and McCoy faces several steep challenges:
Restoring locker-room trust: Players must buy into his leadership quickly to salvage the remaining games.
Simplifying the playbook: The offense needs structure and clarity for Cam Ward to grow.
Rebuilding the Titans’ identity: The franchise has lost its signature grit and physicality — something McCoy must re-ignite.
While fans are skeptical, insiders suggest McCoy’s experience and professionalism could offer the team much-needed balance after weeks of turbulence.
Inside Brian Callahan’s Short Tenure in Tennessee
Brian Callahan’s time in Nashville began with optimism. A respected offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals, he helped mentor Joe Burrow and was seen as a modern play-calling innovator. His hiring was expected to rejuvenate the Titans offense and usher in a new era of development.
However, the reality was far different. Over two seasons:
The Titans averaged fewer than 19 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the league.
Offensive line protection collapsed, leading to excessive sacks and turnovers.
Defensive lapses compounded problems, with the Titans struggling to hold leads even when ahead.
Adding emotional weight to the story, Bill Callahan — Brian’s father and the Titans’ offensive line coach — is also expected to leave the team. The father-son duo had reunited in Tennessee with hopes of building something meaningful but leave with unfinished business.
Titans Coaching History: A Story of Highs and Lows
The Titans’ decision to fire Brian Callahan continues a turbulent coaching legacy for the franchise.
Jeff Fisher remains the most successful and longest-tenured head coach, remembered for taking the team to the Super Bowl in 2000.
Mike Munchak and Ken Whisenhunt struggled to maintain that level of success.
Mike Vrabel, who preceded Callahan, brought playoff appearances and leadership stability before being dismissed following the 2023 season.
Now, with Callahan Titans era over, the franchise once again finds itself in transition — seeking a long-term leader capable of blending innovation with toughness.
Titans’ Next Steps: What Comes After the Firing
1. Internal Evaluation
The Titans will likely spend the coming weeks evaluating every aspect of the organization — from play-calling and roster structure to locker-room culture. The front office is expected to hold extensive discussions with McCoy and other staff members to chart the course for 2026.
2. Coaching Search for the Future
Once the season ends, the Titans are expected to conduct a thorough coaching search. Names already circulating in league circles include offensive innovators and quarterback-friendly coaches — possibly Joe Brady, Dan Orlovsky, or others with reputations for rebuilding struggling teams.
3. Developing Cam Ward
Perhaps the biggest priority: protecting and developing Cam Ward, their top-drafted quarterback. The Titans view Ward as the cornerstone of their rebuild, and his progress under interim coach Mike McCoy will heavily influence future staffing decisions.
Reaction Around the NFL
The firing of Brian Callahan sparked mixed reactions from around the league.
Former quarterback and analyst Dan Orlovsky commented that while Callahan is a talented offensive mind, he may not have been ready for the head-coaching leap in a rebuilding environment like Tennessee.
Other commentators compared the situation to early-career struggles faced by coaches such as Kliff Kingsbury and Josh McDaniels, noting that being a great coordinator doesn’t always translate to being an effective head coach.
Fans on social media largely supported the decision, citing frustration with back-to-back losing seasons and unclear direction. Many praised the organization for acting decisively before the season became completely lost.
Quick Facts About Brian Callahan & the Titans
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brian Callahan |
| Age | 40 (as of 2025) |
| Team | Tennessee Titans |
| Position | Former Head Coach |
| Tenure | 2024–2025 (Record: 4–19) |
| Interim Replacement | Mike McCoy |
| Father | Bill Callahan (Offensive Line Coach) |
| Known For | Former Bengals Offensive Coordinator |
| Reason for Dismissal | Poor performance, lack of progress |
| Next Opponent | New England Patriots |
FAQs
Q1. Why did the Titans fire Brian Callahan?
The Titans fired Callahan due to poor performance, lack of offensive improvement, and overall team stagnation despite having a new quarterback and revamped coaching staff.
Q2. Who is replacing Callahan as head coach?
Mike McCoy, the Titans’ senior offensive assistant and former Chargers head coach, has been named interim head coach for the rest of the season.
Q3. Will Mike McCoy be considered for the full-time role?
Yes. If McCoy manages to steady the team and improve their competitiveness, he will likely be among the top candidates for the permanent role.
Q4. What happens to Bill Callahan after his son’s firing?
Bill Callahan, the team’s offensive line coach, is expected to leave the franchise, though no official statement has been made yet.
Q5. What does this mean for the Titans’ future?
The move signals a rebuild. The Titans are prioritizing their young quarterback’s development and restructuring the leadership around long-term stability.
Final Thoughts
The Titans firing Brian Callahan underscores how quickly fortunes can shift in the NFL. Once seen as a rising star in coaching circles, Callahan’s brief tenure in Tennessee serves as a cautionary tale of high expectations and harsh realities.
Now, the Titans head coach title passes temporarily to Mike McCoy, who inherits a team searching for purpose and confidence. His task isn’t just to win games — it’s to restore belief, redefine culture, and lay a foundation for the future.
Whether McCoy can steer the Titans toward redemption or simply bridge the gap to the next regime remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Tennessee’s decision reflects a franchise unwilling to accept mediocrity any longer.
