NASHVILLE – The Titans have a new head coach.
Now, Robert Saleh has to put together his coaching staff.
The offseason is just getting started.
Let's open up the latest mailbag and see what Titans fans are thinking …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
James Logan from Fayetteville, Tennessee
Question: Not being facetious or negative – a simple interrogative: Why would the Titans want to hire a coach with a fairly strong losing record? I'm sure there are reasons that I am not informed enough to understand. I just wish to understand the rationale.
Jim: Hey James. I just don't think it's fair to judge a coach on his record, because there are so many factors. Robert Saleh, who you're referring to, of course, went 20-36 with the Jets. Well, Bill Belichick was 36-44 in five seasons with the Cleveland Browns (1991-1995), and he was fired. He later became arguably the greatest coach in NFL history, as he led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins. I'm not saying Saleh is going to be the next Belichick, but again, the record doesn't tell everything. We'll touch on this again in just a bit.
Neil Carr from Bingley, United Kingdom
Question: Saleh it is. Happy? Unhappy? So so? What will he bring to the table that guarantees progression from Callahan? How important is it that a defensive co-ordinator surrounds himself with quality offensive minds? Does his hiring mean we become a defensive team first and foremost and an offensive team after that? How can a defensive co-ordinator develop a QB as Cam needs to be developed? I'm happy with Saleh but just keen to know if someone who has been predominantly a defensive mind over the years has the offensive know-how or will he rely on other coaches to do the offensive side of things? How soon will we know if our special teams coach will remain (which he should)? Lots of Qs. Maybe too early to answer many of them. Just wanna know he's a good choice and can move us to a 7-9ish team or better next year a la Vrabel's transformation of New England with a 2nd year QB. Cheers
Jim: Hey Neil. I like Saleh, and think he's going to prove to be a hire. He's the type of leader, and presence, the team needs. He's going to need to put together a good staff, and the Titans are going to need to draft well, and pick the right players in free agency. Like you said, there are a lot of questions that still need to be answered.
Andy Rao from Arlington, Virginia
Question: Probably The Best Titans Signing From The Niners since Delanie Walker!
First off, apologies to Ran Carthon.
So, I'm of two minds about this. Part of this seems like a panic move by Borgonzi, Brinker, Amy Adams Strunk and whomever else was in the room as they'd already lost out on a) Harbaugh, b) Stefanski, c) Hafley, and now with the Bills HC position surprisingly open, that team might be much closer to winning and therefore be a more attractive draw to other hot candidates- they didn't want to be taking stuff off the discount rack, so to speak. Hence, they full court pressed Saleh until they had his signature drying on a contract. But I'm consoled by the fact that they didn't pick Nagy. His tenure at the Bears was enough for me. Let someone else give him a second chance. And I'm sure watching the recently jettisoned Vrabel soar to new heights with his new employer still stings and stings badly. I know I'm not privy to all the reasons why that happened, but count me amongst those who did not like Vrabel's firing one bit. What's that saying? 'Ball Don't Lie.'
Saleh's first opportunity was with the Jets who might be more of a dumpster fire than the Titans were. That was a tough slog made even more unbearable by the NY media. Especially since he had to put up with the Aaron Rodgers experience for his time there. It says something that his next hired successor had an even worse record than he did. His most recent display of sublime coaching came with this recent Niners playoff run where he was coaching up players claimed off the scrap heap and putting them in positions to make impact plays on defense. He seems to have the knack for 'getting more from less' which is what the NFL is about. I'm curious to see who pops up on his staff as OC, though. It's probably going to be someone from the NFC West whose offense was a tough out for his Niners defense this past season and someone who is a quarterback whisperer. All in all, a solid pick, but one arrived at in haste.
And so it begins, the Robert Saleh era. Over/Under?
To quote Bum: There's two kinds of coaches, them that's fired and them that's gonna be fired.
BTW, 'Luv Ya Bum' is a great watch.
Jim: Hey Andy. Here we go…
Sadhish Siva from Manchester, Tennessee
Question: Not a question, just a statement.
It kind of sucks that when breaking news happens (i.e. the hiring of Saleh as our new head coach), every outlet (reports) it, making you look like you are out of touch/out of the loop (which I know is not the case).
I think the team is doing you a disservice where Saleh has to be officially signed before you can mention anything on the website. They should at least let you say contract negotiations are underway and you could be the first to break it rather than the last. My 2 cents.
Jim: I hear ya, Sadhish. And, believe me, the newspaper reporter in me will always struggle with this part of it. But I work for the team now, and the team wants to make sure everything is signed and "official" before we go with the news. It's what I signed up for. I can guarantee you we'll never say "negotiations are under way" with coaches, free agents, etc. Not every negotiation leads to a deal, and the last thing anyone wants is to announce something prematurely.
Brian Stewart from Brentwood, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, with Robert Saleh coming in trying to change the culture, how long of a leash will the Titans give him? Also, it seems like Amy always tries hiring someone who did the opposite of the previous coach through every hire.
Mike Mularkey - Chilled and schematic
Mike Vrabel - Aggressive and Hard Nosed, not a scheme guru
Brian Callahan - Soft, Young Upstart offensive coordinator, chilled and schematic
Robert Saleh - Aggressive and hard nosed, culture changer
Jim: How long of a leash? Well, his contract is reportedly for five years. The hope is he'll be here even longer.
Karrie Groff from Liberty, Missouri
Question: I am certainly not a pro but after looking at the stats for the seasons that the new head coach was the Jets head coach, why did they hire him? There is nothing impressive about those seasons he coached the Jets! I realize it takes more than a coach but I feel we might end up right where we are this year!
Jim: Time will tell, Karrie. Keep in mind he went through six different QBs with the Jets: Zach Wilson (33 games), Mike White (7 games) Aaron Rodgers (6 games), Joe Flacco (5 games), Trevor Siemian (3 games) and Tim Boyle (2 games). The Titans are hoping Coach Saleh and Cam Ward will be able to win together. I know Cam is hoping no one judges his career so far off his record either.
Eric Biederman from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! I appreciate your response to my last question. I think we could've done much worse than hiring Robert Saleh. Do I have full trust in him? No. But I do think he's much better than the field, and given our innumerable defensive issues, I think this is a solid pickup. However, I am a bit hesitant as to whether or not he's the right guy to develop Cam. Either way, I don't hate it.
Anyway, how do you feel about it? Was he your #1 option from the start?
Cheers
Jim: Hey Eric. Full trust is earned. It's going to take more than the head coach to develop Cam, and that's why the OC hire is so important, along with the QBs coach hire. Saleh's mission will be to develop the team into a winner. Personally, I didn't have a No.1 option at the start. Heck, at the start, a lot of guys who became available weren't even in the mix..
Todd Cookingham from Houston, Texas
Question: Hey Jim. 1977 loyalty here.. looks like Saleh is the man!! I'm praying for McDaniel to be oc. There friend's right? Not like buddy Ryan / Kevin gilbright.. lol This is a coaching staff.,my question do you see fassel being retained? He has such a connection and vision for special teams I would hate to be real that up...! Also do we go get a left tackle in 2nd round? Or receiver? In your opinion? I saw enough to at night in the NCAA championship game that we go edge first... Brother I have been dealing with cancer.. God's good but as silly as it might be. The Adams family feels like family after almost 50 years. I'm 59 and I believe we can make that new England jump next year!! Titan up! Love ya brother!
Jim: Good to hear from you, Todd. I'm sure you saw where McDaniel is going to the Chargers. … I hope Fassel is back, and it sounds like he will be. He did a great job last year, and he's a great guy. Will have to wait for this to become official. … This team needs edge rushers, cornerbacks and receivers, but yeah, o-linemen, too. I think the starting tackles for 2026 were the starting tackles in 2025. …
Best to you in your cancer battle, Todd. I'll keep you in my prayers and hopefully others will see this and do the same.
Eli Decko from Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Question: Really? Saleh? A guy with a losing record. A guy with no track record of any kind at all?? He coached a fully loaded defense his entire time at SF. I could have coached that defense to a Super Bowl. This is insane. Does this franchise not understand scoring points is more important than stopping people from scoring? If your defense holds the opposition to 3 points, but your offense can't even get in kicking range, you lose the game! Groom and grow the young QBs on the team....let's get a linebacker/defensive line coach in there to lead the way?!?!?!? Come on people! Watch some bum like Kingsbury will be the OC. Are the Titans still building that stadium? Last I checked they fired a Genius Defensive Coach in Mike Vrabel, who is about to win a Super Bowl btw, and they hire a guy who has never had a winning season as head coach? Oh blame it on the Jets, blame it on their QBs situation? Well the Titans are worse than those Jets were, and they had very similar defensive pieces under his coaching tenure, slightly better tbh as well whole, and their QB situation was actually better! Yes, Zach Wilson is better than Cam and Rodgers definitely is better. Like, seriously does this ownership and front office do any critical thinking?
Jim: Why am I not surprised you don't like the hire, Eli? I would've been shocked if you liked it, tbh.
Tom Meyer from San Antonio, Texas
Question: Wheww!!! Well I was thankfully proven wrong. I have never been so happy to wrong as now. I love the idea of Saleh being hired as HC. The next thing is finding the right OC. Thirteen teams are looking for an OC and the competition is going to be tough. I previously have spoken about the buddy system being a concern, but here is where that could be a positive thing. I hope the Titans can find the right guy to turn this thing around. I believe Saleh will be solid as the HC and he will field a strong defense, but we need a strong offense that can score touchdowns instead of field goals and do better than three and out. Thanks to John Fassel for staying around we at least will have a good special teams group. Titan Up!!!!!
Jim: Good to hear from you, Tom.
Darris Mays from Lewisville, Texas
Question: Hello Jim! I pray you are doing well! I think we got it right this time. I'm so happy with this hire. Titans forever.
Jim: Time will tell, Darris.
James Kaufmann from York, Pennsylvania
Question: Good morning, Jim. While I just saw Robert Saleh is now our next head I really don't like the move at all to be honest. McDermott was just let go in Buffalo and we didn't even interview him? Like Robert Saleh is going to out coach Vrabel or Andy Reid. Umm no. McDermott has beaten both head coaches in the past. Saleh is a great defensive coordinator no doubt but not a head coach. Overall track record with the Jets was terrible so how will this be different? Make it make sense Jim. I don't really have a lot of faith in Borgonzi anymore just because you spent time with a winning team doesn't make you a winner sorry.
Jim: Hi James. I like McDermott myself. He's proven to be a really good coach. But I like the Saleh hiring, too, and so did Borgonzi and the search committee. This time two years ago, most folks loved the Brian Callahan hiring. It proved to be a bad hire. This time last year, a lot of folks were making fun of the Jaguars for picking Liam Coen. I don't hear anyone laughing any more. How can you say you don't have trust in Borgonzi any more? The guy nailed his first draft, and his coaching hire hasn't even been introduced yet.
Brian Oare from Broadalbin, New York
Question: I hope I'm proven wrong but I expect both Saleh and Borgonzi to not be part of the Titans organization in 2027. Very uninspiring hire as the new head coach when more proven and successful options were available. Saleh is one of those coaches that is a good coordinator but not cut out to be a head coach. Only thing that could save him would be exceptional OC and DC. Track record is not good…he hired Todd Downing. So disappointed, but again hope I'm proven wrong.
Jim: I'd take this bet, Brian.
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, Tennessee
Question: I think Saleh is a good hire, who he gets as OC and DC will either make him a good hire or a great hire. After watching the way he handled the Jets and the way he always made it a point to say the buck stops with him was admirable, even though we all knew there were deeper issues. I can't wait to see who he fills staff with and hopefully they can turn this thing around and play some meaningful football in January! Have a great week and as always TITAN UP!!
Jim: Don't be a stranger, Jeremy.
Have a great weekend everyone!
