Breaking: Titans moving to hire Robert Saleh as head coach
The Tennessee Titans are finalizing a deal to make Robert Saleh their next head coach. I can confirm the sides have moved into closing steps, with paperwork and staff decisions to follow. Terms are not yet disclosed. The hire puts a defensive voice back at the top in Nashville, and it signals a hard pivot to toughness, detail, and urgency.
Saleh brings juice. He is intense on the sideline, clear in his message, and respected in locker rooms. Titans fans know the standard. Hit, swarm, finish. Now they will see that on repeat. 🔊
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Why Saleh, why now
Saleh built his name as the 49ers defensive coordinator. Those units hit like a drumline. They played fast, tackled well, and punished mistakes. His New York run came with bumps, but his defenses kept their edge. He grew through storms, and he will bring that scar tissue to this job.
Tennessee needs a reset. The team’s identity has drifted. The offense struggled to score. The defense lost tight games late. The AFC South is no longer forgiving. Houston and Jacksonville have talent and speed. The Colts are physical and young. This move is about catching up, and then passing them.
What he must fix first
Saleh’s first 72 hours will shape his first 72 weeks. He must set the tone, then hire the right teachers.
Build the right offensive staff
This is the hinge of the whole project. The offensive coordinator hire must be a slam dunk. The Titans need a plan that protects the quarterback, gets the ball out fast, and builds easy throws. They also need a run game that travels in December. Expect wide zone and play action to be in the mix, blended with motion and quick game.
The offensive coordinator choice will make or break year one. Expect a proven play caller, with quarterback development chops.
Map the quarterback plan
Will Levis has tools and toughness. He also needs clarity, rhythm, and better help. Saleh must pick a coaching staff that speaks one language to the quarterback room. The team needs a clean progression plan, more layups, and a route tree that fits the arm and timing. Add competition, not confusion. Support him with real protection and reliable hands.
Set the timeline. Declare the starter, define the backup, and build the install around their strengths.
Reset the identity
The Titans used to be the most physical team on the field. That must return. Practice will show it first. Situational discipline will seal it. Third down, red zone, two minute. Win those, win close games.
Short list of day one priorities:
- Hire an offensive coordinator and line coach who align on scheme
- Clarify the quarterback plan and add a veteran insurance option
- Rebuild the offensive line with size, feet, and finish
- Set a standard on penalties, tackling, and ball security
How his defense reshapes Tennessee
Saleh favors a front that wins with four and hustles with seven. That means a relentless rush and clean lanes for linebackers. It also means corners who tackle and compete at the catch point. The best version of his defense cuts the oxygen from opponents. You feel it early, and you feel it late.
Jeffery Simmons fits this vision. He wrecks plans from the inside. Give him a steady wave of edge help, and the pass rush pops. Add a third down package with speed, and the Titans can dictate terms again. The back end needs communication and range. Reduce explosives, force field goals, flip the game.
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Culture and the city fit
Saleh’s energy matches Nashville’s edge. He is approachable, direct, and fiercely loyal to his players. That matters in a room that needs belief. The Titans fan base wants effort and honesty. He will give both. Expect early morning practices, crisp meetings, and an emphasis on details you can see from the upper deck.
He will also protect the locker room. He does not air business in public. He shields young players and demands accountability in private. That balance builds trust. It also builds a team that runs to problems, not from them.
What comes next
The timeline moves fast now. Staff interviews are underway. Player evaluations are on the table. Free agency plans are forming. Draft boards will soon reflect a Saleh blueprint. Look for long, explosive defenders and smart, dependable offensive pieces. Look for linemen who finish. Look for receivers who separate. Look for backs who pass protect and catch.
The goal is simple. Get tougher, get faster, get cleaner. Do it by September.
Conclusion
The Titans are betting on edge, clarity, and defense with Robert Saleh. The first big clue will be his offensive coordinator. The next will be how he talks about the quarterback room. If he nails those, his defense will do the rest. Nashville asked for a new identity. It just found one. 🏈
