NASHVILLE – The Titans are retaining a key member of their coaching staff from a year ago, as John "Bones" Fassel will return as the team's special teams coordinator in 2026.
Fassel joins Brian Daboll (offense) as a coordinator under new head coach Robert Saleh.
"I've coached against him a number of times," Saleh said of Fassel. "And I know the special teams coordinator on my side of the field has always had sleepless nights leading into that week. His reputation not only as a football coach, but also as a person, is second to none. Just having him here is awesome."
It will be Fassel's second season with the Titans, as he initially joined the organization last offseason. Fassel has 21 seasons of coaching experience in the NFL.
Fassel's first season in Tennessee was a big success.
Fassel guided the 2025 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).
During Fassel's first year in Tennessee, rookie Chimere Dike earned first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors and was named to the Pro Bowl 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. He was the NFL's first player since Detroit's Jack Christiansen in 1952 (21.5 punt return average and 25.6 kickoff return average) to qualify with an average 17.0-plus yards per punt return and 25.0-plus yards per kickoff return in a season.
Also, kicker Joey Slye made 28 field goals, including a team-record nine field goals of at least 50 yards, breaking Stephen Gostkowski's record of seven such field goals in 2020. In only one season, Slye booted four of the eight longest field goals in franchise history (58, 57, 57 and 56 yards). Meanwhile, punter Hekker averaged 40.3 net yards on 78 punts, becoming the franchise's third all-time punter to record a net average of 40.0 yards or better with at least 75 punts in a season, joining Brett Kern (five times) and Ryan Stonehouse (2022). The 2025 campaign was also Fassel's first with Titans long snapper Morgan Cox, the team's special teams captain who handled all of the team's long snapping duties for the fifth consecutive season.
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. At least one player under his direction has earned a Pro Bowl berth in 13 of his 17 seasons as a coordinator.
Prior to joining Tennessee, he spent five years as special teams coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys (2020-24). He also coordinated special teams for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-19) and Oakland Raiders (2009-11).
JOHN FASSEL'S COACHING TIMELINE
2025-26: Special Teams Coordinator – Tennessee Titans
2020-24: Special Teams Coordinator – Dallas Cowboys
2012-19: Special Teams Coordinator – St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams
2009-11: Special Teams Coordinator – Oakland Raiders
2008: Assistant Special Teams – Oakland Raiders
2005-07: Assistant Special Teams – Baltimore Ravens
2003-04: Head Coach/Assistant Athletic Director – New Mexico Highlands University
2002: Wide Receivers – Bucknell University
2001: Graduate Assistant – Idaho State University
2000: Strength & Conditioning/Wide Receivers – Amsterdam Admirals
1999: Wide Receivers – Bucknell University
