Tennessee Titans Set to Hire Robert Saleh as New Head Coach
In a pivotal move aimed at revitalizing their struggling franchise, the Tennessee Titans are reportedly finalizing a deal to hire Robert Saleh as their new head coach. The news, broken by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Monday evening, comes at a critical juncture for the Titans who, despite selecting quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick in last year’s draft, stumbled to a disappointing 3-14 record. This coaching change represents Tennessee’s desperate search for leadership that can transform their talented but underperforming roster into a competitive force within the AFC South.
Saleh brings a wealth of defensive expertise to Nashville, with a resume that includes significant success as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020. During his tenure with the 49ers, Saleh earned a reputation as one of the league’s premier defensive minds, helping guide the team to Super Bowl LIV. His defensive philosophy, characterized by aggressive front-four pressure and disciplined coverage schemes, transformed San Francisco into one of the NFL’s most formidable defensive units. This defensive acumen will be particularly valuable for a Titans team that has struggled on both sides of the ball in recent seasons and requires fundamental restructuring to compete with divisional rivals.
The 46-year-old coach’s most recent head coaching experience came with the New York Jets, where he served from 2021 until his dismissal during the 2024 season after a 2-3 start. His overall record with the Jets stands at a disappointing 20-36, with no winning seasons or playoff appearances to his credit. Despite these struggles in New York, many NFL analysts believe Saleh’s difficulties were more reflective of the Jets’ organizational issues rather than his coaching abilities. After his Jets tenure ended, Saleh briefly worked as an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers before returning to the 49ers’ staff last season, where he contributed to their 12-5 record and playoff run that ended with a surprising 41-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round.
Saleh’s appointment comes after he was considered for several other head coaching vacancies across the league, including positions with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins. The Titans ultimately emerged as his landing spot, entrusting him with the development of Cam Ward, last year’s top draft selection who showed flashes of potential despite the team’s overall struggles. Saleh’s experience working with young quarterbacks during his time with the Jets, where he oversaw Zach Wilson’s development, will be crucial as he takes on the responsibility of nurturing Ward into the franchise quarterback the Titans envisioned when they selected him.
The challenges facing Saleh in Tennessee extend well beyond quarterback development. The Titans hold the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, providing an opportunity to address glaring roster deficiencies. While finding a dynamic wide receiver to complement Ward seems like an obvious priority, the team also has significant needs on defense, particularly at cornerback, safety, outside linebacker, and edge rusher positions. Saleh’s defensive background will likely influence Tennessee’s draft strategy, potentially prioritizing defensive playmakers who can implement his system effectively while the offense continues to develop under Ward’s leadership.
As the Titans prepare to officially announce Saleh as their new head coach, the organization hopes this hiring represents a turning point after years of mediocrity. Following the disappointing conclusion of the Mike Vrabel era, Titans fans are desperate for a return to relevance in an increasingly competitive AFC. Saleh’s combination of defensive prowess, head coaching experience, and reputation for building strong team cultures makes him an intriguing choice to lead this rebuild. With the fourth overall pick, significant cap space to utilize in free agency, and a potential franchise quarterback already on the roster, Saleh inherits a situation with genuine promise despite the team’s recent struggles. The 2025 season will serve as the first test of whether this coaching change can spark the renaissance that Titans fans have been eagerly awaiting.
