NASHVILLE – Robert Saleh answered dozens of questions on Thursday, when he was announced as the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
One of his answers came through loud and clear.
"Fast and violent," Saleh responded when asked what he wants his team to be known for on Sundays. "Play in and play out, we're going to play with speed. We're going to play confident, and we're going to have some swag, talk a little sh*t. I want them to show who they are, play in and play out.
"The one thing you'll notice is the speed at which we play and the violence in which we do it."
Later, Saleh doubled down on the physicality talk.
"They're going to pop off the tape," he said. "You are going to feel like you're on the field with them with the energy, the juice, the speed, the violence. Sitting on your couch, you should be able to feel this football team."
The Titans on Thursday officially announced Saleh as the 22nd coach in Oilers/Titans history, and the eighth since the team moved to Tennessee.
Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk was there, along with General Manager Mike Borgonzi, who introduced Saleh, and President of Football Operations Chad Brinker. The press conference was attended by many members of the front office and organization, including a large group of players that included quarterback Cam Ward and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
Saleh discussed the team's plan to get the most out of Ward, under an offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll he bragged about. Saleh also confirmed he'll call the plays on defense.
Saleh said he wants to build a culture, and a winner, in Tennessee.
"I can't wait to work with y'all, man. It's going to be freakin' fun," Saleh said as he looked at the players in the back of the room. "We're going to get after it each day, and we're going to get better.
"We're going to bring a championship home, and it's going to start with you guys."
Saleh just wrapped up his 21st NFL season, and in his second stint as defensive coordinator with the 49ers.
Before returning to the 49ers, Saleh spent three-plus seasons (2021-24) as head coach of the Jets, where his teams went a combined 20-36.
Saleh said he learned from his time with the Jets.
"There is no handbook to a first time at anything you do," Saleh said. "The proper question would be: What didn't I learn? There is so much to gain from any time you are in the chair as head coach, and there is so many learning experiences that I had. I could sit here and talk to you for the next four hours about all those things. But I can assure you there is tremendous growth from the opportunity I had as a coach and through that growth I think I am more prepared now than I've ever been to attack this position."
Saleh arrived in Tennessee with a great reputation for his defensive mind, and his ability to connect with the players.
During his time in the NFL, Saleh has been a part of nine top-10 defenses, and in his nine seasons as a defensive coordinator or head coach, his team has finished in the top five in total defense on five occasions.
Before taking the helm in New York, Saleh spent four seasons (2017-20) as the defensive coordinator for the 49ers, which included a Super Bowl appearance at the end of the 2020 season.
Saleh wants to change the results in Tennessee, and he believes he has the right people around him in the front office, a coaching staff that is starting to take shape, and across the organization.
"I probably did as much research on this organization and the people, the leadership committee in this organization, than they did on me, from the top all the way down," Saleh said. "What I found is the people here are unbelievable. I am a firm believer that people win championships, and this organization is built to win a championship because of the people, from Miss Amy all the way down."
