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14 Tennessee Titans coaching candidates after Mike Vrabel fired, from Jim Harbaugh to Jim Schwartz

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

14 Tennessee Titans coaching candidates after Mike Vrabel fired, from Jim Harbaugh to Jim Schwartz

The Tennessee Titans fired Mike Vrabel after six seasons on Tuesday, ending a run that included three playoff appearances, two division titles, one NFL Coach of the Year award and two disappointing, disjointed, losing seasons.

The Titans will be looking for their sixth coach since moving to Tennessee.

Vrabel was the third-winningest coach in franchise history behind only Jeff Fisher and Bum Phillips. He was the first coach to lead the Titans to three straight playoff appearances since Jack Pardee in the early 1990s. But his tenure is over now.

Now, as Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and general manager Ran Carthon embark on the start of the next era of Titans’ football, there is no shortage of directions the Titans could take. Here are 14 candidates the Titans could consider to replace Vrabel, sorted alphabetically by last name.

Tennessee Titans coaching candidates after Mike Vrabel fired

Shane Bowen, Titans defensive coordinator

Never rule out the internal candidate when it comes to the Titans. The 37-year-old has been with the franchise since the start of the Vrabel era, has called plays for the defense since 2020 and has been the defensive coordinator since 2021. The defense had its ups-and-downs during Bowen’s tenure, especially with struggles in the secondary, but his familiarity with the roster and ability to keep the messaging consistent could be viewed as a plus.

Brian Callahan, Bengals offensive coordinator

Few teams haunted the Titans throughout the Vrabel era like the Cincinnati Bengals, and Callahan was a big part of why. In five seasons as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator, Callahan helped develop quarterback Joe Burrow into a star and co-organized a prolific offense that featured some of the league’s most dynamic receivers and got running backs involved in a unique way.

Aaron Glenn, Lions defensive coordinator

A 15-year pro and three-time Pro Bowler as a cornerback, Glenn has led the Lions defense since 2021 after stops coaching with the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. Glenn’s Detroit defenses haven’t exactly been stellar, ranking 31st, 30th and 23rd in points allowed per game. But he’s a renowned leader and has played and worked under multiple successful coaches, making him the candidate who might actually be most similar to Vrabel when the Titans hired him in 2018.

Jim Harbaugh, University of Michigan coach

Going from an Ohio State Buckeye to the sitting coach at the University of Michigan would be some culture shock (though Taylor Lewan would be a fan). Harbaugh’s been coy about whether he wants to return to the NFL after the success he’s experienced in college, leading the Wolverines to three straight College Football Playoff appearances and Monday’s national championship win over Washington. But the 60-year-old coach is as intriguing of a candidate as can be. In four years as San Francisco 49ers coach, his teams went 44-19-1 with three NFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl loss. And his college success isn’t anything to scoff at either. Where Harbaugh goes, wins follow.

Ben Johnson, Lions offensive coordinator

Another Detroit-based candidate, Johnson has led the Lions to top-five seasons by points and yards per game each of the past two. A longtime Miami Dolphins assistant before his stint with the Lions, Johnson doesn’t have the same pedigree of working on championship teams as some other potential candidates. But there’s no disputing his success in turning the Lions offense into one of the league’s best, especially when it comes to passing success and keeping quarterbacks clean and upright.

Anthony Lynn, 49ers assistant head coach

Lynn, formerly the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, has spent two years working alongside Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, one of those years while Carthon worked in the front office. That familiarity, combined with the 49ers’ success and his experience as coach, makes him a hard candidate to rule out.

Mike Macdonald, Ravens defensive coordinator

No team plays defense quite like the Ravens do, and Macdonald is the mastermind behind so much of the team’s recent success. The Ravens allow the fewest points and second fewest yards per play in the NFL, ranking among the league’s best in sacks, interception rate, third down stops and red zone defense. A long-time Ravens assistant who also coordinated at Michigan, Macdonald is only 36 years old but has more than proven he can lead defenses and has learned how to build and lead franchises from both Harbaugh brothers.

Todd Monken, Ravens offensive coordinator

Few coaches have taken more circuitous paths into the head coaching discussion than Monken. He cut his teeth in college, came to the pros as a receivers coach, went back to college where he became a coordinator and eventual coach at Southern Miss, went back to the NFL as an offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay and Cleveland, returned to college to coordinate Georgia’s offense for two championship runs and now is leading Lamar Jackson to what will likely be his second MVP season. Monken’s done a bit of everything, coached numerous types of offenses and has the AFC’s best team rolling in a way it hasn’t in years.

Raheem Morris, Rams defensive coordinator

Morris hasn’t gotten a second crack at being a full-time head coach since his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended after the 2011 season. He has, however, coordinated some of the league’s best defenses in three years with the Rams and spent time on extremely successful staffs in Washington and Atlanta, working alongside future head coaches such as Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Kyle Shanahan and Mike McDaniel. As far as second-chance hires go, Morris is a more than qualified candidate.

Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator

Morris’ former boss, Quinn was coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-20, when he was fired just five games into the season. Quinn led the Falcons to a Super Bowl berth and two playoff appearances and has helmed three top-10 defenses in three years with Dallas. He interviewed for multiple coaching jobs last offseason but opted to stay in Dallas, so it’s tough to say whether he’d be open to a move this year. But, like Morris, Quinn is a coach more than due for a second crack at a top job.

Jim Schwartz, Browns defensive coordinator

It’s a marriage that can never truly be ruled out. Schwartz has the Browns allowing the fewest yards per play and per game in the NFL this season, a reminder that the long-time Titans assistant and former Lions coach can still flat-out coach. He spent 2021-22 as a senior defensive assistant with the Titans and was notably the Titans’ defensive coordinator from 2001-08. He only posted one winning season in five years with the Lions but his continued success in years since coordinating the Bills, Eagles and Browns defenses are proof of his ability.

Bobby Slowik, Texans offensive coordinator

Nothing’s stopped the Titans from hiring a young Texans assistant with just one year of coordinating experience as a head coach before. Slowik has helped orchestrate Houston’s impressive turnaround in 2023, developing rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud into one of the NFL’s best passers. It also doesn’t hurt that Slowik spent six years in San Francisco, meaning he has a prior relationship with Carthon.

Frank Smith, Dolphins offensive coordinator

There’s nothing quite as evergreen in NFL hiring season as trying to poach the coordinator from the league’s best offense. Smith has helped McDaniel devise the NFL’s fastest, most potent offense this season, building on the success he experienced in previous stops with the Chargers and Raiders. It’s tough to separate Smith’s success from the talent Miami has on offense and on the sidelines, but he’s certainly worth a look.

Shane Waldron, Seahawks offensive coordinator

Another offensive coach from the McVay-Shanahan tree, Waldron has revitalized Seattle’s offense in the last two years by getting the best out of once-discarded journeyman quarterback Geno Smith. Waldron has worked in various capacities under McVay, Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll, giving him a pedigree of great mentors to go along with his teams’ offensive successes.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.

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Everything Tennessee Football OLB Coach Levorn ‘Chop’ Harbin Said Ahead of Kentucky

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11 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Press Room

Everything Tennessee Football OLB Coach Levorn ‘Chop’ Harbin Said Ahead of Kentucky

defense — Oct 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) is forced out of bounds by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) in he fourth quarter at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images / David Leong-Imagn Images

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Tennessee stylists become lifelines in fight against domestic violence

Published

1 day ago

October 21, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee stylists become lifelines in fight against domestic violence

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A trip to the salon isn’t just about a new look — sometimes, it’s about washing away the weight of the day.

“It’s nice to see you,” clients often hear, but for many beauty professionals, their role extends far beyond styling hair or applying makeup.

“I’ve seen and heard everything behind the chair,” said Susanne Shepherd Post, co-founder of Shear Haven. For 30 years, she’s been a trusted listener in her salon chair.

“I’ve had clients open up to me about their own abusive relationships,” Shepherd Post said.

That’s why, in 2021, she championed a Tennessee law requiring all beauty professionals to learn how to recognize the signs of abuse — and how to respond. More than 71,000 professionals have now taken the free, 20-minute training. The clock, though, is ticking — complete it by December 31 or lose your license.

“Knowing that at least one in four women and one in seven men will experience abuse means that every day a stylist behind the chair might see many people, several people that might be the ones to meet that resource,” Shepherd Post said.

Licensees had four years between 2022 and 2025 to complete the approved training. If a licensee does not complete the training, their license will be invalid.

“I know that it’s saving lives,” Shepherd Post said.

She has lived this reality herself, having survived an abusive marriage.

“I know how important that person in my life was, who knew what I was going through wasn’t just a bad relationship, but rather an abusive one,” Shepherd Post said.

She stresses that warning signs aren’t always visible.

“Non physical signs that we’re in a unique position to see. There might be signs of isolation, maybe pulling away from some of their closest family or friends, they might seem a little withdrawn, or have more cancelations,” Shepherd Post said.

That’s why she partnered with the YWCA to create Shear Haven and teach beauty pros how to handle difficult conversations — and connect clients to safety. Together with the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the state Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, they want to remind all licensed beauty professionals to complete their training.

“They’re on the front lines. They see and hear things that most folks do not,” YWCA Vice President of strategic communications & advocacy Michelle Mowery Johnson.

She’s hoping to create awareness that reaches far beyond the chair.

“Being able to reach my kids generation with awareness would be so impactful. To be able to curb the numbers. See a real shift in Tennessee,” Shepherd Post said.

Nearly 2,000 Tennessee beauty professionals are running out of time to complete mandatory domestic violence training.

“As beauty professionals know, most domestic violence victims will not report abuse to law enforcement, but they will tell someone with whom they have a long-standing relationship, such as a cosmetologist or a barber,” said Board Executive Director Roxana Gumucio.

If you or someone you know has questions about domestic violence or needs shelter, please call YWCA’s 24-Hour Crisis & Support Helpline at 800-334-4628 or TEXT 615-983-5170.

Click here, for the training.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Patsy.Montesinos@Newschannel5.com

Hunters and fishers: Funding shortfall may cut wildlife and outdoor services

One of the best things about Tennessee is its beauty. Reporter, Chris Davis, certainly makes the most of it as an avid hunter and fisherman. When he turned the spotlight on the potential funding shortfall the TWRA is facing – it hit a nerve with many of our viewers. To find out more, make sure to watch this story.

– Carrie Sharp

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