Welcome to my first NFL coach candidate list. I was at first hesitant, but I put a post out around the time the Titans fired Callahan and you overwhelmingly wanted me to. This will be a little different than the college one so it will not be in my link post. If you want to check out my college coach candidate list, I will post the link to all of them below this paragraph and I have also added my NFL link as well:
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/college_football/p/ehkeG_1Wbo6Yb-/coach-candidate-tier-list-links
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/general/p/7139yP7O69m7sM/nfl-coach-candidate-tier-list-links
So, instead of doing a background post, I will assume you all know about the Vrabel era and firing to where they are now, so all I will say is that this list are name of coaches the Titans may pursue to help Cam Ward's development or someone that is defense minded that can hire an OC to help Ward.
Top Choice For Ward's Sake
Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders (OC; 2024-?)
A well known QB whisperer who coached Patrick Mahomes in College and drafted and coached Kyler Murray during Murray's best years. Was fired by the Cardinals after a disappointing and injury riddled season. Took a year long break from the NFL to go back to College and worked with Caleb Williams and USC then returned to the Pros to the Commanders and coached Jayden Daniels to the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has now earned the right as the most sought after HC candidate.
Other Top Names
Mike LeFleur, Los Angeles Rams (OC; 2023-?)
Younger brother of Green Bay Packers Head Coach and former OC of the Tennessee Titans Matt LeFleur. Has been a long term Shanahan assistant dating back all the way to 2014 then followed then 49ers DC Robert Saleh as the OC of the Jets. LeFleur left the Jets to become the OC at the Rams and has built a name for him with Stafford's resurgence through injuries and Puka Nacua's success as their top WR.
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks (OC; 2025-?)
I mentioned him in the Colorado State job since his a alum, but he may be able to get the Titans job if he really wants it. The son of Gary Kubiak. He is only 38 and has bounced from team to team having a hard time finding the right team after he left the Broncos in 2018. It looks like he has finally got a QB to get his offense clicking with Sam Darnold in his second act as a NFL QB. The only reason why I think he would leave is because he thinks he can do the same thing he has with Sam Darnold with Cam Ward. If not, he will probably stay another year at Seattle and run it again.
Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers (DC; 2024-?)
About two years ago, he was coaching Michigan's defense in the National Championship Game, now he may be coaching the Titans. The defense hasn't been as great as expected with injuries to Khalil Mack and Da'Shawn Hand. He is still pretty young and can bring in someone at OC to help the development of Cam Ward.
Top Former Head Coaches
Mike McCarthy, former Green Bay Packers (2006-18) and Dallas Cowboys (2020-24) Head Coach
The guy's QB's as head coach are Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott. Not bad of a list. The reason for his firing at Green Bay and his contract not renewed at Dallas is because his offense became stale. Yes, he got a Super Bowl at Green Bay. But he becomes predictable after he adapts after finding newfound success and then keeps running that over and over until someone figures it out.
Jon Gruden, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-08) and Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (1998-01, 2018-21) Head Coach
A well known offensive mind. Like McCarthy, won a Super Bowl, but he won in his first season inheriting a already built team and then went 7-9 and 5-11 the next two seasons. I like to see him go back into coaching, but I don't feel like Tennessee is the right place.
I Don't Know
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills (OC; 2023-?)
Gained success as the PGC and WR coach at LSU in 2019 coaching Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. Left LSU for an OC job at Carolina and underperformed and was fired less than two seasons in. He later revived his career as Josh Allen's QB coach and later OC. My thing is that I don't think he can coach a team lacking talent to the standard he set in 2019 and the last three seasons.
Josh Grizzard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OC; 2025-?)
He has only worked for two NFL teams, the Dolphins (during the Gase, Flores, and McDaniel tenures) and the Buccaneers the last two seasons. He was the PGC last season and have now took over after Liam Coen left for Jacksonville. My only issue is it just feels too early for him to be a Head Coach. I just feel like he i rushing it if he takes the job.
Please No
Matt Nagy, Kansas City Chiefs (OC; 2023-?)
If you don't know who this is, he was the Chicago Bears head coach who most notably coached Mitch Trubisky and is credited for ruining his career and with Nagy, they won the NFC North in 2018 during a weak year for the division. After that, 8-8, 8-8, and 6-11. He also returned to Kansas City as the OC (which he was in this position from 2016-17) and was at the same time as Patrick Mahomes starting to go down. I think he is bad for QB's and do not want him near anyone I believe is my franchise QB.
I hope you enjoy this list! It took me a while to come up with names cause how broad it is. I also don't see any college coaches taking this job either. I will address the Diana Russini list, as I did add Nagy, the other three names I do not see being in any further list as I do not see how or why this front office would consider them.
If you have any thoughts or anyone I missed, let me know down below!