Titans Make Final Decision on Nagy vs. Saleh as Next Head Coach

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Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi.

The Tennessee Titans dropped massive news on their 2026 head coach search just after midnight on January 20, as different NFL insiders reported that the franchise is set to hire Robert Saleh as their next HC.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was among those relaying the news, informing: “The Titans are set to hire former [San Francisco] 49ers DC Robert Saleh as their new head coach, per The Insiders. Saleh impressed during the interview process, making him the person to lead this young team. The ex-[New York] Jets coach spent today in Nashville interviewing a second time.”

Heading into January 19, Saleh and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy appeared to be the two frontrunners for the job, and many would have considered Nagy the favorite.

Given Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi’s history as the former assistant GM of the Chiefs, he and Nagy shared a similar organizational background. That led many to believe that Nagy would be the eventual choice, despite Tennessee bringing in a long list of candidates.

However, in the end, it was Saleh who won Borgonzi and the Titans’ brass over during the final round of interviews.

“The Titans and Saleh’s reps are working on a deal at this moment,” The Athletic’s lead insider Dianna Russini reported on X, just after the news. She added that “while Matt Nagy was always considered a top candidate, Saleh closed the door with his in-person interview.” And that “this was Saleh’s top choice.”

As the Cam Ward quarterback era continues into year two, it will be Saleh leading the charge.

Robert Saleh Is Expected to Call Plays for the Titans’ Defense, While All-Important  Offensive Coordinator Role Is Still Unclear

GettyNew Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh.

Following the news that the Titans have hired Saleh as their next head coach, NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reported the following.

“Expect new Titans HC Robert Saleh to call defensive plays this time around,” Garafolo noted. “Mentioned this on @NFLGameDay Morning the other day, that Saleh felt not calling plays as Jets coach disconnected him from the game too much. Came to the realization he’d do it differently next time.”

With Saleh handling the defensive playcalling, that just leaves one all-important question. Who will he hire to be his offensive coordinator?

When Saleh initially took the Jets’ HC job, he brought Mike LaFleur with him from the 49ers. Unfortunately, that move didn’t really work out, as quarterback Zach Wilson failed to develop under LaFleur, leading Saleh and his former general manager, Joe Douglas, to move on to veteran OC Nathaniel Hackett.

After the Hackett hire went up in flames not long after, Saleh was eventually fired. Now he’ll get another shot, and one would think he went into his interview with a clear plan for the offense.

While nothing has been decided, former Miami Dolphins head coach and 49ers alum Mike McDaniel is still thought to be Saleh’s No. 1 choice for his vacant OC role.

SNY Jets insider Connor Hughes posted a reminder on the subject, stating: “There was talk early on that Robert Saleh, had he gotten another head coaching opportunity, wanted to take Mike McDaniel with him as offensive coordinator, I’m told… That would do wonders for the Titans.”

Although McDaniel feels like a home run target for Saleh, he’s received HC interest of his own, not to mention a ton of OC interest elsewhere. If Saleh doesn’t land McDaniel, who will he pivot to at offensive coordinator?

Matt Nagy’s Rough Day Continues After Titans’ HC News

With the Titans passing on Nagy, a bad day on January 19 just turned into a bad week.

The Chiefs elected to move on from Nagy as offensive coordinator on Monday, reuniting with former OC Eric Bieniemy. Nagy wasn’t technically fired, as he was up for a new contract, but Kansas City did seemingly choose to part ways, nonetheless.

The Chiefs’ offense and quarterback Patrick Mahomes both seemed to regress under Nagy, who returned following his dismissal from the Bears. Nagy began as quarterbacks coach under Bieniemy, but was promoted back to offensive coordinator after the latter left for a slight promotion in Washington.

In the end, it appears the Chiefs recognized the error in their decisions, rehiring Bieniemy to replace Nagy.

Still, if Nagy gets the Titans’ gig, he comes out of all this a winner. However, after losing out to Saleh in the final moments, Nagy could spend the 2026 campaign unemployed.

Michael Obermuller covers the NFL as an Associate Editor for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the NFL breaking news operation, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller