NASHVILLE – When Robert Saleh was named head coach of the Titans back in January, one of his first priorities was to put together a coaching staff.
Saleh made some key hires at offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, hiring veterans Brian Daboll and Gus Bradley.
Saleh and the Titans also retained John Fassel as special teams coordinator, and added assistant head coach to his title.
Fassel said he's happy to be back, and ready to build on the success of his units from a year ago.
"I'm grateful to be back here, obviously coach Saleh and (GM Mike) Borgonzi and Amy (Adams Strunk), inviting me back was a big thing," Fassel said. "And also, for my assistant, coach (Rayna) Stewart, who I think the world of. To have him also be back with me is just fantastic.
"It's good to be back with everybody again."
Retaining Fassel was a key move for the Titans.
Fassel, heading into his 22nd season coaching in the NFL, was hired as special teams coordinator in 2025 under Brian Callahan after spending five years as special teams coordinator with the Cowboys (2020-24). He also coordinated special teams for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-19) and Raiders (2009-11).
Fassel has developed some game changers.
In 17 seasons as an NFL special teams coordinator, 12 different players under Fassel – comprised of punters, kickers, long snappers, returners and special teams players – have accounted for a total of 22 Pro Bowl selections, and that includes Titans returner Chimere Dike in 2025.
During his first season in Tennessee, Fassel guided the Titans to top 10 finishes in punt return average (second at 16.6 yards per return), opponent kickoff return average (seventh, 24.9) and opponent net punting average (second, 37.1), and Dike earned 2025 first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors after leading the NFL with a 17.3-yard average on punt returns. Dike broke Billy "White Shoes" Johnson's 1977 franchise record of 15.4 yards per punt return, and he also established a franchise record with 1,588 total kickoff return yards, averaging 25.6 yards per attempt.
Fassel said he'd been part of coaching changes in the past, so he knew there were no guarantees he'd return to Tennessee. It took some patience, but eventually things worked out.
"I've been a part of them before where I wasn't kept, and I've been a part of some where I was kept," Fassel said of coaching changes. "So, I wasn't really sure. But I got a chance to talk to coach Saleh after he got hired, and then of course Mike Borgonzi, I felt like he always supported myself and coach Stewart and our special teams work.
"To be able to stay is huge for my family, and we are very grateful for that part of it. … I'm happy to be back for sure."
Dike is back with the Titans, along with kicker Joey Slye and long snapper Morgan Cox.
Slye made 28 field goals, including a team-record nine field goals of at least 50 yards, in 2025. Cox has proven to be one of the league's most consistent long snappers.
The Titans have a new punter in Tommy Townsend, who replaced Johnny Hekker.
Townsend arrives after spending the past two seasons with the Texans after spending the previous four seasons with the Chiefs. Townsend finished the 2025 season with a 47.6-yard average on 72 punts, with a next average of 41.6, and with 30 punts inside the 20. In his six-year NFL career, Townsend has punted in 100 games and averaged 47.6 with a net of 42.8, with 151 punts inside the 20-yard line.
In addition to Townsend, Fassel will also welcome a bunch of new faces on special teams, on coverage and return teams. Some of them will undoubtedly be rookies.
The veteran coach is looking to build consistency, and find even more success, in his second year in Tennessee as he shows the new players the way alongside the veterans.
Listen to Fassel speak, and it's easy to tell he's as fired up as ever to coach.
"I think special teams is the ultimate, the best training ground for any young player," Fassel said. "Because you get one shot at it – there is no second or third down. And there is nowhere to hide – you can get exposed really quickly on special teams.
"I think every young player, no matter draft status, or anything, should participate in some phase of special teams because it is tackling and blocking and just playing free. … I love it and I think every young guy should have a role."
