After four consecutive losing seasons under two different head coaches, the Tennessee Titans officially announced the hiring of Robert Saleh to the position on Thursday.
The San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator is set to begin his second run as an NFL head coach. Saleh, 46, led the New York Jets to losing records in 2021, 2022 and 2023, then was fired after the team started 2-3 in 2024. His overall mark on the job was 20-36.
Saleh took over the 49ers’ defense this season. His unit wound up 20th in the NFL in total defense (340.2 yards per game) and 13th in scoring defense (21.8 points per game) despite All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and All-Pro edge rusher Nick Bosa missing the majority of the season due to injuries.
A native of Michigan, Saleh has an extensive coaching resume, including a run as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017-20 before he was hired as head coach by the Jets. He also had NFL coaching stints with the Green Bay Packers (2024), Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16), Seattle Seahawks (2011-13) and Houston Texans (2006-10).
In the college ranks, the Northern Michigan alum had coaching stints at Georgia (2005), Central Michigan (2004), and Michigan State (2002-03).
The Titans also considered Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as a final candidate for the vacancy.
Tennessee fired Brian Callahan after a 1-5 start this past season, and interim coach Mike McCoy saw out the team’s 3-14 overall record.
Callahan also led the Titans to a 3-14 mark in 2024. Mike Vrabel guided Tennessee to a 6-11 record in 2023 and a 7-10 mark in 2022. The Titans last made the playoffs in 2021 when they went 12-5 during the regular season.
