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Unpacking Titans' 8 newest coaching candidates interviewed, rankings, superlatives
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- Unpacking Titans' 8 newest coaching candidates interviewed, rankings, superlatives
The Tennessee Titans announced on Jan. 18 that they've completed interviews with eight more candidates for their head coaching vacancy, bringing the total number of coaches interviewed to 15.
This week's interviews were with: former New York coach Brian Daboll , former Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon, Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, former Dallas coach Mike McCarthy, former Miami coach Mike McDaniel , L.A. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, former Atlanta coach Raheem Morris and Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith .
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San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was initially supposed to interview in this bunch, but his initial interview has been postponed until the team can visit with him in-person on Jan. 19, a source told The Tennessean. As The Tennessean reported on Jan. 17, the Titans planned to bring Hafley, Matt Nagy and Kevin Stefanski in for second interviews for the position. Stefanski has since been hired as coach of the Atlanta Falcons .
The theme in this bunch, as was the theme in the previous group of seven candidates interviewed, is head coaching experience . Among this week's interviewees, only Hafley and Minter have never been NFL head coaches, though Hafley had four years' experience as a college head coach. Twelve of the 15 candidates the Titans have interviewed during this cycle have previous NFL head coaching experience, with eight having led teams as recently as 2024.
With so many of the Titans' candidates sharing similar qualifications, what really separates them? Here's a quick rundown on what to know about the eight new candidates interviewed and how they stack up against each other.
Top NFL coaching candidates: Superlatives for Titans coach search
Mr. Throwback ― Mike McCarthy:McCarthy is the most qualified candidate in the bunch by far. It's fair to question whether he'll be able to adapt as the modern game keeps evolving. But he adapted plenty well in Dallas when he coached the NFL's No. 1 offense as recently as 2023.
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Most likely to be accepted ― Robert Saleh:Let's count Saleh in the bunch just to say this: Saleh's the closest thing the Titans have to a universal approval candidate. This isn't to say he's the best candidate. He's just the one who most directly fits the mold of what the Titans have been missing the past two years.
Mr. Divisive ― Mike McDaniel:McDaniel's the most innovative offensive thinker in the bunch, one who consistently made his skill players better in Miami. He also coached teams that disappeared down the stretch. Can you balance the upside of what his schemes can do versus the downside of how his four Miami seasons ended?
Most likely to remember the good ol' days ― Arthur Smith:Forget Smith's tenures in Atlanta and Pittsburgh . He's the candidate with the ties to the Titans' playoff runs half a decade ago. Recapture that magic and no one will complain.
Most likely to be negotiating down the staff ― Raheem Morris, Brian Daboll, Jonathan Gannon:None of these guys should be the Titans' next head coach. But if Morris or Gannon wants a defensive coordinator job, or Daboll wants an offensive coordinator job, the Titans should be thrilled to make the match.
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Cinderella 1 and Cinderella 2 ― Jeff Hafley, Jesse Minter:Hafley and Minter are two of the hottest names on the market. They just aren't the Titans' type right now. It'll be an uphill climb for them to prove they're more qualified than the long list of more experienced candidates.
Titans candidates comparisons: From Mike McCarthy to Mike McDaniel, who has the best résumé?
NFL head coaching records:
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Brian Daboll:20-40-1
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Jonathan Gannon:15-36
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Jeff Hafley:0-0
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Mike McCarthy:174-112-2
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Mike McDaniel:35-33
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Jesse Minter:0-0
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Raheem Morris:37-56
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Arthur Smith:21-30
Above-the-line résumé headlines:
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Brian Daboll:2022 NFL Coach of the Year, one playoff win, five Super Bowl wins as assistant
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Jonathan Gannon:Coached a No. 1 defense as coordinator
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Jeff Hafley:College head coaching experience, worked with Kyle Shanahan, Urban Meyer, Matt Lafleur and Greg Schiano
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Mike McCarthy:Super Bowl winner, 12 playoff appearances, 10 top-five scoring offenses coached
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Mike McDaniel:Two playoff appearances, coached two top-2 offenses in past four years
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Jesse Minter:No. 1 scoring defense in 2024, top-five total defense in 2025, college champion as DC
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Raheem Morris:Two Super Bowl wins as assistant, has coached offense and defense
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Arthur Smith:Coached Titans to two top-five offenses, two playoff berths as OC
Titans head coaching search: Who makes it to Round 2?
Based on interviews conducted, interest from other clubs and résumé quality, here's a ranking of which candidates seem most likely to get a second interview.
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Jeff Hafley
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Mike McCarthy
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Mike McDaniel
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Arthur Smith
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Jesse Minter
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Brian Daboll
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Raheem Morris
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Jonathan Gannon
NFL coach search rules: When can Round 2 begin?
The Titans may begin conducting in-person interviews with candidates employed elsewhere in the NFL on Jan. 19, unless that candidate coaches for a team still alive in the postseason. This opens up the opportunity for the Titans to engage with Smith, Hafley and Minter in person for the first time, as well as Matt Nagy, Steve Spagnuolo and Lou Anarumo.
In-person interviews were already allowed, and in many cases have already been conducted, with unemployed candidates like McCarthy, McDaniel and Kevin Stefanski.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com . Follow Nick on X @nicksuss . Subscribe to the Talkin' Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Comparing Titans candidate résumés from Mike McCarthy to Mike McDaniel
