“This is an exciting time for our franchise, and we’re thrilled to have Brian as our head coach,” stated Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk.
“We conducted a thorough candidate search, and Brian emerged as the ideal choice to coach our football squad. I’d want to congratulate the other candidates that participated in this process and wish them continued success.
“Brian has a track record of success and a diverse set of experiences that have prepared him for this opportunity.” His football expertise and excitement for the game stand out, and we believe his leadership abilities will make him a great match for our franchise.
“During his time with the Bengals, he was trusted with a variety of tasks, including offensive design, quarterback development, and participation in the free agency and draft processes, and he demonstrated the ability to be a valuable resource in all of them.
Brian has witnessed firsthand what it takes to achieve long-term success and a championship, and he is the ideal leader for us.
“Thank you to our fans for your continued support and loyalty.
You deserve a championship team, and we will get there. I can’t wait for you to meet Brian and his family.
Callahan conducted an in-person interview with the team on Monday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, after a virtual interview on January 12.
Following Mike Vrabel’s departure earlier this month, the Titans interviewed eleven applicants for the post.
Callahan was one of two candidates selected for a second interview, as well as one of three in-person interviews performed by the team.
Callahan interviewed for many head coaching positions last winter but eventually returned to Cincinnati. This winter, he was once again a popular target for head coaching searches.
However, the Titans proved to be a good fit.
Callahan, who just completed his 14th NFL season, has been the Bengals’ offensive coordinator since 2019.
In total, Callahan has 18 years of coaching expertise.
In Cincinnati, he helped quarterback Joe Burrow improve.
Callahan began his NFL career as a coaching assistant for the Denver Broncos in 2010, then was moved to offensive quality control coach in 2011, and finally offensive assistant in 2013.
During his time with the Broncos, Callahan worked with quarterback Peyton Manning, who was awarded NFL MVP after the team won the Super Bowl.
Callahan was the Lions’ quarterbacks coach from 2016 to 2017, when he helped Matthew Stafford emerge into one of the league’s most prolific quarterbacks.
Callahan helped Stafford rank third in passing yards (4,446) and fourth in passing touchdowns (29) in 2017, while also registering a then-career-high 99.3 passer rating.
Callahan joined the Raiders in 2018, when he helped quarterback Derek Carr set a career high in passing yards (4,049) and led the AFC with a 68.9 completion percentage.
However, Callahan spent the majority of his career with the Bengals, and the team was quite successful.
Callahan was a part of two AFC North titles, two AFC Championship berths, and a Super Bowl berth while working for head coach Zac Taylor.
Over the past three seasons (2021-23), the Bengals offense ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in several categories: sixth in scoring (24.9), seventh in passing (250.8 yards per game), seventh in red-zone efficiency (61.5 percent), 10th in third-down percentage (41.0) and sixth in time of possession (31:00).
In 2022, with Burrow healthy, the Bengals offense ranked sixth in the NFL in points per game (26.1), ninth in total yards (360.5 per game), and fifth in passing yards (265.0). Burrow was named for his first career.
During that season, the Bengals had two 1,000-yard receivers: Ja’Marr Chase (1046) and Tee Higgins (1029).
In 2021, the Bengals offense placed in the top ten in league scoring (eighth, 27.1) and passing (seventh, 259.0) on its way to Super Bowl LVI.
Joe Mixon, the Bengals’ running back, has surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards four times in five seasons with Callahan as offensive coordinator.
Callahan, who played quarterback at UCLA, is the son of former Raiders coach Bill Callahan, who now coaches the Browns’ offensive line.
Callahan worked as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, UCLA, in 2006 and 2007, before spending two years (2008-09) as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Junipero High School in
After parting ways with Vrabel, the Titans interviewed Callahan, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce (who was later hired as permanent head coach by the Raiders), Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and former Brown and Callahan conducted their second in-person interview on Monday, a day after Shaw’s.
Callahan ultimately proved to be the correct match for the Titans.
