Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Robert Saleh STRIKING OUT on Offensive Coordinator Candidates & Defensive Coaches Getting Clearer

Episode Date: January 25, 2026

The Tennessee Titans are in desperate need of an offensive coordinator. The weekend that just happened was not good news as multiple candidates went off the board and there are current NFL openings th...at threaten the Titans ability to get their top remaining options. Brian Daboll and Kliff Kingsbury seems like the only exciting options remaining. If those don't materialize, the Titans may have to go further down the list and look at some unusual names like Matt Nagy, Mike Kafka and Jim Bob Cooter. The Titans also started doing some work on their defensive coordinator position as names like Al Harris, Mike Rutenberg & Dino Vasso. Defensive coordinator is less important, but finding a proper teacher who can install the gameplan is key. LOCKED ON TITANS EVERYDAY CLUB: https://lockedontitans.supercast.com/ Subscribe to the TicTacTitans Film Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TicTacTitans TicTacTitans Merchandise: https://dixons-dream.square.site/shop/tictactitans-gear/C3AAPNWXSXA6SBYG3USV2I7R?page=1&limit=30&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc Follow Tyler on Twitter @TicTacTitans Follow the show on Facebook @LockedOnTitansPod Subscribe to the Locked On Titans YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/LockedOnTitans/videos Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclubSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!TurboTaxFor a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.Rocket MoneyLet Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at http://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON FanDuelIf you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty.  Rocket MoneyLet Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at http://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDONPrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFLGametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.RobinhoodTrade Every Play with Robinhood. Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin.Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firmIndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/lockedonnfl.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 It was a rough weekend for the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator search, and Robert Sala is dangerously close to striking out in his first big test as head coach. I'll explain on today's edition of Locked on Titans. You are Locked on Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network, your team every day. Welcome to the Locked on Titans podcast. I am your host, Tyler Rowland Titans fans on today's show. I'm going to update you guys on all of the big news from over the weekend that affected the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator search.
Starting point is 00:00:41 I'll talk about some under-the-radar candidates that we need to start seriously considering, and the Titans started looking for a defensive coordinator. So I'll go over that, all of the staff changes that we heard about. So much to discuss before we dive in, do want to thank you for making Locked-on Titans. Your first listen each and every day. Remember, Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content all year round, always for free. Make sure that you get subscribed, stay subscribed. It's your team every day.
Starting point is 00:01:07 Here on the Locked on Titans podcast, speaking of every day. Shout out to my Everydayers out there. Tune in Monday through Friday. Couldn't do it without you guys. If you aren't an Everydayer, you got to be one. The Titans are going to be hiring their coaching staff. We got roster moves, free agency, the draft. I'm going to keep you up to date, informed and entertained the entire way.
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Starting point is 00:02:02 with all that being said, again, Robert Sala getting dangerously close here to striking out on all of his top candidates and look. I don't think that it's time to panic whatsoever, but part of the reason I was excited about Robert Sala is I thought that he would have a good opportunity to bring in a very good offensive coordinator due to his connections around the league and all the offensive talent that would be there based on those connections. And we got the list of actual candidates that the Titans were looking at last week with Arthur Smith, Adam Stenevich, Bobby Sloick, Brian Dable, Cliff Kingsbury. But some things have not gone the Titans way over the weekend. And we start with the news that Arthur Smith is going to coach the Ohio State Buckeyes. He's going to be their offensive coordinator. And look, I was always hesitant about Arthur Smith as an option for the Titans. I didn't think he would be anywhere near the best candidate for Cam Ward.
Starting point is 00:03:02 Arthur Smith has had his success in the NFL with veteran ready-made quarterbacks. Ryan Tannahill was a veteran player. Arthur Smith didn't develop Ryan Tannahill. He just put him in a situation that made sense. And what worked for Arthur Smith when he was with the Titans seven years ago is not what's going to work now. He doesn't have A.J. Brown. He doesn't have Derek Henry.
Starting point is 00:03:25 You can't run outside zone and PA glance against 8.5. box is in cover three. That's not how the NFL is right now. The NFL is focused on two high shells. They're not load in the box. That's why teams are going to heavier personnel on offense and why the run game is back because teams are playing defense different than they were seven years ago. And the things that worked for Arthur Smith when he was with the Titans are not going to be things that work now. And then his time in Pittsburgh that was pretty well, he had a very good run game. And then Aaron Rogers, maybe one of the top five quarterbacks of all time, top 10, no bicker. You know what I mean? Like you can't argue that Aaron Rogers is a top 10 quarterback of all time.
Starting point is 00:04:03 When did Arthur Smith ever develop a young quarterback? When did that ever happen? So I had my reservations. But Arthur Smith would at least still be a competent option and would qualify as that CEO level offensive coach that could literally just run the offense from top to bottom without Robert Saleh happened to really worry whether the operation is being run smoothly.
Starting point is 00:04:24 This isn't an inexperienced play caller or a guy who's never even been a head coach in the NFL. So Arthur Smith did check some of those boxes. He was at the bottom of my list, but like, he was still a decent option. And then Bobby Sloick, who I have liked Slowick for quite some time based on what he did with CJ Stroud in his rookie year. He's really smart in the passing game.
Starting point is 00:04:46 I thought that Bobby Slowick would be a great fit for Cam Ward. He was Miami's past game coordinator. But over the weekend, Bobby Sloick was hired as the Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator. They just promoted him to offensive coordinator entirely. And that leaves you with Brian Dable, who is a top option, Cliff Kingsbury, who is my top option. And, you know, of course, you could throw in some other names,
Starting point is 00:05:14 Stenevich, who was on that initial list. He's still available, but Stenevich is never called plays. So we'll talk about Adam Stenevich in a second when we talk about more under the radar options. I would like Stenevich, but again, all of these other. guys have been head coaches and experienced play callers other than Bobby Sloick who has been a play caller before but Stenevich hasn't so to me the top four options were clearly Dable Kingsbury Sloick Smith and you're down to
Starting point is 00:05:43 two there and the problem is what other NFL teams decide to do this weekend is going to heavily influence what the Tennessee Titans are able to do and again I have talked to you about Cliff Kingsbury. I've talked to you about Adam Stenevich. It's already coming out right now that Cliff Kingsbury and Stenevich are going to interview for the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator position.
Starting point is 00:06:06 Yeah, love to hear that. We've talked about that before with them as options. But the problem is this. Brian Dable had a head coaching interview in Buffalo. Brian Dable had a head coaching interview in Vegas. And while it's been reported that if he doesn't be a head coach, he would be the Titans offensive coordinator he could still go to Philadelphia
Starting point is 00:06:29 that hasn't been ruled out and the same person Diana Rusini who reported that he would take the Titans offensive coordinator job if he didn't get a head coaching role was also the same person who reported that he might be interested in the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator position as well. Look, I believe that if Brian Dable does not get the head coaching job
Starting point is 00:06:48 with the Buffalo Bills, I do not believe he's getting the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job. I don't believe it. I don't buy that for a second. But if he doesn't get the Buffalo Bill's head coaching job, I think Brian Dable will be the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. But he might get that Buffalo Bill's head coaching job. Like right now, you can't rule that out. They've satisfied the Rooney Rule on Saturday.
Starting point is 00:07:09 That news could be out by the time you hear this. So I just don't feel confident about that. And then Cliff Kingsbury, who is going to interview for the Tennessee Titans head coaching position. Again, the news is breaking right now as I'm recording the show. but we already talked last week about Cliff Kingsbury and Adam Stenevich being options for the Titan, so we know that already. But I think that there's a better chance that Cliff Kingsbury
Starting point is 00:07:32 either goes to Baltimore to be their offensive coordinator and coach Lamar Jackson under Jesse Mentor, who was hired as their head coach over the weekend. Or he goes to be the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders where Davis Webb, the passing game coordinator of the Denver Broncos, could get the job there. Davis Webb played under Cliff Kingsbury when Webb was a player in college and Kingsbury was the coach at Texas Tech.
Starting point is 00:07:57 So I just think that Daibole could get that Buffalo Bill's job. It looks like Cliff Kingsbury would take the Baltimore Ravens' OC job or go be the offensive coordinator for his former player, Davis Webb in Las Vegas, Vegas, and then just wait for a better opportunity to be a head coach next year. And then Mike LaFleur, who was the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, when Robert Salah was their head coach the first two years, it looks like he's going to be the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals. So again, it's not time to panic.
Starting point is 00:08:30 But when you're looking at the top-tier candidates, my hype candidates, that made the most sense to be the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator and would make me the most excited, Arthur Smith, Bobby Slowet, gone. Dable could be the head coach of Buffalo. Kingsbury, most likely going to be an offensive coordinator elsewhere. Mike Lefleur off the table.
Starting point is 00:08:50 Kubey at, Shanahan's not going to let him go, like, we're running out of top options that would make me excited, that would have me feel comfortable with where Robert Salah was with the offensive coordinator position. Because again, the downside of having a defensive coach is you have to get the offensive coordinator position right, and when you have a young quarterback like Cam Ward, you have an offense that doesn't have a ton of talent right now, you need a very skilled play caller. So again, not time to panic. but this was the first big test for Robert Sala and with the way that the news went over the weekend,
Starting point is 00:09:28 there is a chance that he could strike out there. Now look, I like a guy like Adam Stenevich who is going to interview for the job, and it's a good sign that he's even interviewing because that means that Matt Lafleur, the Green Bay Packers head coach, didn't block it. Robert Sala and Matt Lafleur are best buds, so I didn't think that he would block it.
Starting point is 00:09:44 But Stenevich has never called plays, which leads you to wonder how things would go. So let's talk about if the Titans do miss out on all of these top options, where would they go next? We'll talk experience guys and some inexperienced guys who are under that radar. Do want to let you know that today's episode is brought to you by prize picks. The big game is almost here, folks, and there's no better way to stay locked into every moment than with prize picks. The Daily Fantasy app where it always feels good to be right.
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Starting point is 00:11:58 Event contracts are offered by Robin Hood derivatives LLC, a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm. And let's continue today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. Again, we talked about Robert Salah getting close to striking out on all of the top offensive coordinator candidates. Again, we got news about Cliff Kingsbury and Adam Stenevich, get an interview request. but I remain skeptical on Cliff Kingsbury's interest in whether he would pick the Titans and Stenevich has never called plays before. So that definitely does make you a little more concerned than you would be with a dable,
Starting point is 00:12:47 a Sloic, a Smith, a Kingsbury, things like that. But with that being said, we do got to talk about the under-the-radar options, guys with experience, guys without experience, and we're also focused on the offensive coordinator position. The Titans have started interviewing defensive coordinator candidates. I'll tell you who those guys are, and there are some other staff changes. that we need to talk about with the Titans as well.
Starting point is 00:13:08 Before we dive in, thanks again for making Locked on Titans your first listen each and every day. And speaking of every day, you guys have to join the Locked on Titans every day or club. Again, a free to Vondres Wet jersey is on the line. If you join the Locked on Titans everyday or club, go to Lockedon Titans. Dot supercast.
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Starting point is 00:14:16 The group chat has just been popping off all weekend long. You're really going to enjoy it. But with that being said, if the Titans do miss out on all the top candidates, we got to look at some other under-the-radar options. First, we look at guys with actual play calling experience. Because in my opinion, the Tennessee Titans do want to look at guys who have play calling experience. I think that it's very, very important at this time that they get somebody in that realm.
Starting point is 00:14:45 So if we're looking at options that aren't as appetizing, we do got to come back to Matt Nagy. Look, I think Matt Nagy is a bad option. I wouldn't be that excited. but he has had head coaching experience before. He has had play calling experience before. He has coached a guy in Patrick Mahomes who has a similar skill set to the Titans.
Starting point is 00:15:10 There is a relationship there between Nagy and the Titans decision makers. Although I would not be excited about the Matt Nagy hire, some of the other names on this list are not as good as Matt Nagy. There are guys like Mike Kafka who was getting head coaching looks last off season. interviews and then went with the Giants and Jackson Dart got a lot worse under Mike Kafka
Starting point is 00:15:34 than he was with Brian Dable. So I wouldn't be excited about that. And again, I would take Matt and Aggie over Mike Kafka. Luke Getsy for the Green Bay Packers who has had some play calling experience, but it wasn't great. And he's kind of a lackey in Green Bay right now. Getsy would make some sense with that experience, but I just, you know, I'd rather have Matt and Aggie, if I'm honest. Now, some other guys who I think I would be more excited about? Joe Brady. Look, if Brian Dable goes to Buffalo, then Joe Brady will not be back in Buffalo. Those guys aren't going to be working together. That's not how that's going to work. And Joe Brady is an option for the Baltimore Ravens as their offensive coordinator.
Starting point is 00:16:17 But if Cliff Kingsbury were to go to Baltimore, then where does that land Joe Brady? I think Joe Brady, who worked with Josh Allen, who is a guy who also got some head coaching looks in the last couple of years, I think Joe Brady would still be an excellent hire. So right now for me, I would have Joe Brady over Matt Nagy, but I would have Nagy over Kafka and Getze. Now, another name that's very intriguing to me is Jim Bob Cooter. All right. Had some play-calling experience with the Lions.
Starting point is 00:16:45 He's currently the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts. Obviously, Shane Steichen is the play caller in Indianapolis. Now, would Shane Steichen let Jim Bob Cooter make a lateral move And again, the play calling doesn't mean that they're allowed to go. That's not how that works. If you're going from offensive coordinator to offensive coordinator, your head coach and organization have to allow you to do that. Yes, we all realize, hey, I want an opportunity to call plays.
Starting point is 00:17:14 That's the only way that I'm going to advance in this business. But that doesn't matter. That doesn't mean that you're allowed to go. So Shane Steichen would probably not let Jim Bob Cooter make a lateral move even if he's calling plays for the Titans and go to Robert Salas staff. That's probably not going to happen. That's a little too close.
Starting point is 00:17:34 There's a little too much competition involved with that. It's a little different than Adam Stenevich, who we'll talk about in a second. But Jim Bob Cooter makes some sense to me. So I would actually like Joe Brady and Jim Bob Cooter and then Matt Nagy and then Mike Kafka and then Luke Getzee. That would be my under-the-radar experienced offensive coordinator list. I am not interested in anybody like Greg Roman or Doug Peterson
Starting point is 00:17:58 or any of these older guys. Like, I'm just out on any of that. Now, maybe the Titans keep Bo Hard agree. I said on Twitter and in the group chat, got to join the Locked-on Titans group chat, man. It's so much fun. Again, Tevandre Sweat jersey. But the Titans could be keeping Bo Hardigree around
Starting point is 00:18:20 as a break glass in case of emergency option. You know what I mean? Like, if they truly strike out on all of these candidates, They may say, let's just keep the guy who called plays and worked with Cam Ward. We'll get some better people on the staff around him. Maybe. Again, that is like bottom of the barrel, worst case scenario, break glass in case of emergency option to me.
Starting point is 00:18:42 But he does have experience, so he falls in this bucket. That is worth saying. Now, there are a lot of guys who don't have play calling experience that I think could be options if the Titans truly strike out on all the top names. Adam Stenevich. He's a guy who was included in my top options. I'm high on Stenevich. I think that he would be a very, very good offensive coordinator,
Starting point is 00:19:04 even if he hasn't had the opportunity to call plays before because he's been in Green Bay under Matt LaFleur. And like I told you, the reason that Matt LaFleur would let Stenevich interview for the Titans' offensive coordinator position, even though it's a lateral move, is because, one, there are in totally different conferences. Stenevich would get the opportunity to call plays with the Titans,
Starting point is 00:19:25 which he's never going to get in Green Bay. and Robert Sala and Matt LaFleur are best friends. Sala was his best man in his wedding. Like, they're best friends. So that makes it more likely, and this is the connection part. When I said Robert Sala has connections to some of the best offensive minds in the NFL, the ability to access an Adam Stenevich
Starting point is 00:19:46 is part of that conversation. So Stenevich, who is an offensive line guy, I think would make a ton of sense for the Titans if they do ultimately go with an inexperienced guy. Frank Smith, who was the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in recent years under Mike McDaniel. Again, the connection to Mike McDaniel, the friendship of Sala and Mike McDaniel, gives him a good opportunity to look at a guy like Frank Smith. Declan Doyle, who is the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears.
Starting point is 00:20:14 Now, look, that would be a lateral move. So Ben Johnson could say no to Declan Doyle getting an offensive coordinator position interview with the Titans. They could block that. But different conferences, maybe Ben Johnson wouldn't want to block his friend from getting an opportunity to call plays. That could at least be an option. Davis Webb. Now, Davis Webb is getting head coaching interviews around the NFL. He's 35 years old.
Starting point is 00:20:41 Young guy passing game coordinator for the Broncos. Look, the Titans could hire him as the offensive coordinator, and the Broncos couldn't block it because it would be a promotion. He could call plays for a year and prove that he is a head coach level guy. and then maybe get a job the next cycle. Nate Shieldhouse, the guy from the Los Angeles Rams, he's getting head coaching interviews with the Cleveland Browns. He is the Rams past game coordinator, not their offensive coordinator.
Starting point is 00:21:07 So same thing as Davis Webb. He's only 30 years old, though. Is that the kind of guy that you could trust to run an offensive operation from top to bottom, why Robert Sala focuses on defense? I don't really think it makes a lot of sense, but they're at least young, talented guys that give you hope that they could do a good job. I just think they're incredibly risky.
Starting point is 00:21:24 Now, you really? You really want to go off the radar. You want to go off the grid with me on some offensive coordinator candidates. Mike Shanahan. No, not the old guy. He's the offensive coordinator of the Indiana Hoosiers. And look, I got to admit, guys.
Starting point is 00:21:43 I got it wrong. Google fooled me. This is why you cannot trust AI. Mike Shanahan, the offensive coordinator of the Indiana Hoosiers, is not related to Kyle Shanahan or Mike Shanahan, the old coach. There's no relation there. I got bamboozled by AI, and that's why you cannot trust AI
Starting point is 00:22:00 because it lies to you. I've seen it lie to me multiple times about coaches and players and stuff like that. Like, you just can't trust it, okay? But regardless of that, Mike Shanahan from Indiana, who's under Kurt Signetti right now, they're offensive, I still think that he would be a good
Starting point is 00:22:16 under-the-radar option if you go to college. Shannon Dawson, the offensive coordinator from Miami Hurricanes who worked with Cam Ward last year in college, that would be an underline. the radar, inexperienced, off the beaten path off the grid type option too. So I think those are guys that you got to start considering here if the Titans do with on all of their top options. So with that being said though, we do got to talk about the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator search because we got four names that are going to take interviews with the Titans and I think
Starting point is 00:22:47 they're all pretty exciting options. Do want to let you know that today's episode is brought to you by Indeed. If you've ever hired someone who looked good on paper but wasn't the right fit and hopefully the Titans can avoid that this hiring cycle You know how important that is when you want a candidate who truly matches what you're looking for Trust indeed sponsored jobs hiring indeed is all you need stop struggling to get your job post seen on other sites Indeed sponsored jobs put your post at the top of the page and help you reach the right candidates Faster if I ever needed to hire someone for this show I'd go straight to indeed and be very specific about what I need, real experience, not just a buzzword.
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Starting point is 00:24:38 Now we need to talk about the defensive coordinators that the Titans reached out to for interviews before we dive in again guys I know a lot of promo but I'm so excited about this opportunity you have to join the Lockedon Titans everydayer club go to Lockedonpodcast.com slash everydayer or go to locked on Titans. supercast.com
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Starting point is 00:25:24 Again, use the promo code Sala at locked-on titans. Dot supercast.com to be entered to win a free to Vondre Sweat jersey. And I got to tell you guys, I bet you'll stick around because it's a lot of fun. But with that being said, defensive coordinator options. Mike Ruttenberg, Mike Ruttenberg is currently, currently, the past game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, which means that he's under Jeff Olbrick. Olbrick is a guy who was a very instrumental coach to Robert Stahler's coaching staff.
Starting point is 00:25:56 He was the defensive coordinator during their time with the Jets. They are very close. But Obrick is being kept on as the D.C. in Atlanta. but Ruttenberg coached with Robert Sala in Jacksonville, coached with Robert Sala in his first stint in San Francisco, was the linebacker's coach for Robert Sala when he was with the New York Jets. And again, he's the passing game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. I think Ruttemberg would be a top-tier option
Starting point is 00:26:22 for the defensive coordinator position because he has so much experience teaching Robert Sala's defense, learning Robert Sala's defense. This isn't like Nick Holtz, where Nick Holtz, where Nick Holtz and Brian Callahan had never actually worked together trying to teach the same offensive system to guys. These are two dudes who have worked together a ton over the last decade. A ton.
Starting point is 00:26:42 Okay? So I think Ruttenberg would make a ton of sense. And not only that, but look at his development with linebackers. He has gotten some great linebacker seasons out of guys in New York, like a Quincy Williams, like a C.J. Mosley. In Atlanta, there were a few guys who had some great operating, like Nate Landman was there before he went to the Atlanta Falcons. Okay, like there are some really good examples of great, great linebacker play under Mike Rutenberg.
Starting point is 00:27:13 So I think that would be a perfect fit for the defensive coordinator position. Not only that, but another name that I think makes a ton of sense and is a top option is Aaron White Cotton. Aaron White Cotton is currently the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. And the Cowboys, Quinn and Williams look great this year. they've had a guy like Sam Williams. They've had a guy, I can't remember the guy, I keep wanting to say Dexter Lawrence. That's not it.
Starting point is 00:27:40 But regardless, it'll come to me here in a second. But I think that White Cotton, who worked with Robert Salas as a defensive line coach with the Jets, worked with him with San Francisco, worked with him with Jacksonville. Like, that's another guy who, this isn't a Nick Holes situation where this guy never has really worked with the coach before.
Starting point is 00:28:00 and he's supposed to teach the defense. No, they have literally worked together over and over again. They know each other's defense. It just makes a ton of sense. Okay, it makes a ton of sense. Yes, Janavian Clowny. I don't know why I couldn't. Clowny had a pretty good season with the Cowboys after he was signed.
Starting point is 00:28:16 Osa Digizua is another guy I was trying to think of who had a great season with the Dallas Cowboys. So I think both the, and Donovan Ezoraku, who was a second round pick last year, had a pretty good year for the Dallas Cowboys. Sam Williams, another guy, had a pretty good year with the Dallas Cowboys when he was with the Jets. The Jets had a great defensive line all the time,
Starting point is 00:28:37 got the best out of the guys there like a Quinn and Williams who also happened to be with the Jets. And you see all the connections here, Jeffrey Simmons, probably continue to have a great year. Now, I think that Rutenberg is a better fit for me than white cotton, but those are the top two options. Now, the other two guys who got requested for interviews with the Tennessee Titans, I also think,
Starting point is 00:28:58 are awesome options. Al Harris, yes, the former NFL cornerback, Al Harris, who I had to watch a ton of growing up in a Green Bay Packer household. Al Harris is currently the defensive back coach for the Chicago Bears and think, Jalen Johnson, great player. Nashon Wright had an excellent season at cornerback. Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, both had great seasons in the defensive backfield for the Chicago Bears.
Starting point is 00:29:24 They forced a ton of turnovers in the back end. I think that Al Harris is an up-and-coming option, and I would love Harris as the defensive coordinator for the Titans. And then the last guy is Dino Vassau, who is the defensive backs coach for the Houston Texans, and he has gotten a lot of pub as of late. And think about what's happened in the defensive backfield for the Texans. Derek Stingley, Camari Lasseter, Jalen Petrie,
Starting point is 00:29:51 some of the best, some of the best defensive backs in the entire NFL are coming from Dino Vaso. So I think that all of these options, in my opinion, all of these options would be great fits. Now, I want to finish the show here because we got even more news on staff changes for the Titans. I talked last week about Luke Stocker coming back for the Titans. It has now been confirmed. Luke Stocker will be back. And I absolutely love that for the Titans.
Starting point is 00:30:24 Stocker is the tight ends coach, former Titans player. He's been credited with really helping the run game late in the season. I talked about wanting Luke Stocker back last week, and now we know that he will be back. Also, Tony Odin, I talked about maybe him being defensive coordinator. It does not appear that that's going to be the case. Tony Odin is going to be back, but as the defensive backs coach, which is what he was doing already for the Tennessee Titans.
Starting point is 00:30:52 Also, the Titans will not be bringing back Tracy Rocker. Rocker is going somewhere else. I'm sure he'll get a job. But the Titans are bringing over someone from San Francisco, Greg Scruggs. And he is 35 years old. He's a former NFL player himself, defensive lineman. And he is a guy who really impressed me in some of the research that I did on him. He's a very positive but straightforward guy.
Starting point is 00:31:17 He did some coaching at the college level at Wisconsin. I think he's ideally suited to get the best out of Tavondres. sweat to get the best out of a guy like Femiola Dejio. You get a guy like Rvel Risen who might be transitioning to the edge position. Maybe you get a guy like David Bailey, maybe the Titans get an edge rush or later in the draft. He's a guy who I think could get the best out of defensive line pass rush options. Also, K.J. Wright, who is a quality control coach on defense, the former NFL linebacker in Seattle. I think he's somebody who's going to come over with Robert Sala to be the linebacker coach. That's not
Starting point is 00:31:52 confirmed yet, but that's what I'm expecting. And then we do know that Tyke Tolver, the Titans wide receiver coach, well respected around the league. He is not coming back to the Tennessee Titans. He's actually been hired by the Miami Dolphils. So that's all the staff changes that we're seeing for the Titans so far over the weekend. But again, Cliff Kingsbury, Adam Stenevich officially requested offensive coordinator interviews, but I am skeptical on Cliff Kingsbury. I'm skeptical on Brian Dable. They missed out on Smith. They missed out on Slowick.
Starting point is 00:32:26 You might start looking at some of these under the radar options that we went over and defensive coordinators are going. I think by next weekend, we have a really good idea of who the Titans are going to have on the coaching staff because the teams in the conference championships right now. Davis Webb, Clint Kubiak, Mike Lafleur. Like, there are a lot of coaches who are, on teams currently in the playoffs, and by the time you're hearing this, the games might be over.
Starting point is 00:32:56 You know what I mean? I'm going to release this in between the two games. So I know one will be over between the Broncos and the Patriots. But either way, what happens with those coaches who are currently on playoff teams is going to be determined because they can do in-person interviews during the bye week since there's two weeks until a Super Bowl. So things will shake out in the NFL coaching cycle with other teams over the next few weeks, next few days, and that'll help the Titans get some of the Super Bowl.
Starting point is 00:33:22 clarity as well. So look forward to breaking all of that down with you guys again. Enter to win a free to Vondre sweat jersey. Use the promo code Sala SAL-E-H. Join the Tennessee Titans every day or club. Can't wait to see you guys there. But that's going to do it for me today folks. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.

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