NASHVILLE – Titans interim coach Mike McCoy, without uttering the exact words, said some goodbyes on Monday.
A day after the team's 2025 season officially ended, McCoy was part of exit meetings with players, many of whom won't be back with the team in 2026. It's the nature of the NFL.
McCoy, of course, knows there's a real scenario where he's not back himself. Again, it's the nature of the NFL.
So, in a lot of words, he delivered one thank you after another for the opportunity to lead the franchise as it prepares for what's next.
McCoy was named interim head coach back on October 13, when he replaced Brian Callahan. McCoy led the Titans the final 11 games of the season, and he said he enjoyed every minute of it.
"I'd like to start out by thanking Amy (Adams Strunk), Mike (Borgonzi), and Chad (Brinker) for believing in me, trusting me to lead this organization," McCoy said. "It means the world to me. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm very grateful for it. It's been unbelievable. … I'd also like to thank the fans through a difficult season. Thank you to the fans for everything.
"Then to thank my family, my wife, my kids, for all their support. Couldn't do it without them. … I'd like to thank the entire organization. Everybody from the trainers, the ops department, equipment, player engagement, team security, video department, Evert (Geerlings) and the rest of his staff. I couldn't do it without them. But everybody bought into our plan. It was out of this world. And I think that I couldn't do it without them. It wasn't just me.
"The next thing is to thank the coaches. What an outstanding job. … Just to see those coaches work the way they did is special. So I'm just very happy with the way the coaches worked and how they helped these players get better.
"Then, it's all about the players. Can't thank them enough. And it starts with the captains."
In an afternoon press conference at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, McCoy even thanked the media in his 1,498-word opening statement.
McCoy, in his 23rd season as a coach in the NFL, hadn't planned on taking over as interim head coach when he joined Callahan's staff as senior offensive assistant last offseason.
But McCoy embraced the challenged, and he leaned on his experience from his time as a head coach with the San Diego Chargers from 2013-16.
The Titans went 2-9 under McCoy's leadership, after going 1-5 under Callahan to start the season. The Titans finished the year with a 3-14 mark, the same record the team had under Callahan in 2024.
On Monday, McCoy said he's not sure what will happen next, as the organization looks for a permanent replacement at head coach.
McCoy made it clear he'd be interested in having an opportunity himself, but he understands there's a process and he wants to be respectful to it. He raved about some of the key pieces, including quarterback Cam Ward.
"Obviously, I would love to be here," McCoy said. "I think the foundation is set. I think with the way you see the rookie class perform this year and the amount of plays that they got, offensively, defense, the kicking game. Obviously, Jeff (Simmons), being on defense, the foundation is here, and there's plenty other places. I can go on and on about a number of players, linebackers, things like that. But the foundation's here. You've got to continue to improve the roster as you go on. But they've got a very bright future here."
