SAN FRANCISCO – Jason Garrett got to see things on the inside in Nashville.
Garrett, who served as coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 2010-19, was among the candidates who interviewed for the head coaching job with the Titans last month.
Here at Super Bowl LX, Garrett discussed the experience while saying it gave him even more confidence in the franchise having success moving forward.
"I had an absolutely great experience," said Garrett, now an analyst for NBC. "I visited with (GM) Mike Borgonzi and (assistant GM) Dave Ziegler and the whole staff there. It probably went for six or seven hours, and we just talked football, visions for the team. There's a lot of good things going on down there in Tennessee. I know they didn't have a very good record last year, and they've been struggling the past few years. But they have a good young quarterback, Jeffery Simmons is as good a defensive player as there is in the NFL, there's lot of cap space, and I think they have the right people in charge. So, it was a fun opportunity for me."
The Titans ultimately hired Robert Saleh, the former defensive coordinator with the San Franscisco 49ers who previously served as head coach of the New York Jets.
Garrett, who won three division titles, was named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2016, and compiled an 85-67 (.559) regular season record with the Cowboys. He was one of 15 candidates to interview for the Titans job, and one of eight to do so in person.
Garrett said the Titans already have some key pieces in place.
"I think they'll do a great job down there," Garrett said. "I like Mike Borgonzi and what he brings in terms of leadership to the program, and Robert has done an excellent job as a coordinator in the NFL and is deserving of another opportunity. I think he'll put a good group together there. Brian Daboll, Gus Bradley – they are all established coaches in the NFL. It's a good young team. I think they'll make good personnel decisions, and there's a lot to be excited about down there."
Garrett said quarterback Cam Ward's potential is one of the reasons he considered the Titans to be a really good job.
Now, Garrett said, the Titans just need to be better around him.
"I like (Cam) a lot," Garrett said. "A very talented guy, and as we all know the first player taken in the draft. Excellent athleticism, arm talent, all of that. To a man, everybody I've talked to that's known him since high school, they love who he is as a person and what he is all about. He loves football, his work ethic, and everything that goes with it. I think they have the right guy there, they just have to surround him with a good group of people and I think they're in the process of doing that."
