According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, the Titans have set the interview schedule for their head coach vacancy this week. Tennessee underwent a major restructure of the front office last week, with GM Mike Borgonzi leading the charge. Which much-ballyhooed candidates get their chance to impress the Titans brass during the first round of interviews?
The #Titans have an early interview plan for their vacant HC position:
— #Colts DC Lou Anarumo speaks with them tomorrow.
— Former #Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is Saturday.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2026
Tennessee Titans Set Interview Schedule For Head Coach Vacancy
The Titans are casting a deep net across the league to find their replacement for the failed Brian Callahan administration. Who are the candidates, when are they happening, and could there be a shocking turn in the race? These questions will bear watching in the coming weeks. Rumored candidates are former Packers/Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Rams DC Chris Shula, among others.
Who are the initial candidates?
According to various reports, the candidates being interviewed this week and early next week come from a range of offensive and defensive backgrounds. Who are they? Published accounts report that several candidates have emerged since the 2025 regular season ended. These candidates are as follows and will be listed by their last employers:
- Browns HC Kevin Stefanski
- Broncos DC Vance Joseph
- Chiefs OC Matt Nagy
- Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo (requested)
- Colts DC Lou Anarumo
- Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury (expected but no firm date)
- Falcons HC Raheem Morris
- Ravens HC John Harbaugh (reported interest)
- NBC Analyst/Former Cowboys HC Jason Garrett
When are they happening?
Anarumo + Joseph
Anarumo has the first chance to impress the committee with an interview on Wednesday, with Joseph following later in the day. The current Colts defensive coordinator has an impressive resume, having turned around Indianapolis before it fell apart. Perhaps he earned an interview, as the Titans could use it as an intelligence-gathering mission on a division rival. Joseph, on the other hand, needs no introduction as the Broncos completely shut down Tennessee in week one in 2025. He brings prior head-coaching experience with Denver, and Borgonzi received an up-close look at the Broncos’ awe-inspiring defenses while with the Chiefs. The Denver defensive coordinator is ready for his second chance as a head coach after years of serving under offensive-minded head coaches. Can he convince the Titans that he can bring along a competent OC that can mesh with Cam Ward?
Nagy
The well-connected Chiefs OC is scheduled to interview on Thursday with the franchise, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. He is the presumptive favorite, but it could also be a courtesy interview given his ties to the general manager. Nagy’s first stint as a head coach was disastrous, marked by many missteps, but his time in Kansas City has improved his image. He’s much like Joe Brady in Buffalo, benefiting from the services of a superstar quarterback. It’s up to the Titans to discern how much of it is coaching talent before the otherworldly talents of Mahomes step in. Can Nagy explain to the Titans brass how he has improved under Andy Reid’s leadership and how he will approach this chance? Nagy’s dance card is filling up with multiple interviews, so he’s an in-demand candidate.
Spagnuolo
To no one’s surprise, Spags’s connection to Borgonzi, much like the connection with Nagy, earned the interview with the Titans. He’s currently scheduled to interview with the team on Thursday, the same day as Nagy’s interview. Spagnuolo’s work with the Chiefs’ defense is remarkable given the youth and turnover it has faced over the past several seasons. The longtime assistant is well regarded in the industry for his coaching ability, and his longevity attests to it. However, it will be interesting to see which offensive assistants he can bring along from the Reid network. It could be that he received an interview based on a fact-finding mission to determine why the Chiefs failed miserably in 2025. Spagnuolo is an excellent candidate based on his defensive mastery.
Garrett
His inclusion is somewhat surprising, but there is a plot twist, as always. Mike Borgonzi’s brother, Dave, served on his Cowboys staff as linebackers coach. Garrett has served as an analyst for NBC since 2022 in various capacities. The NBC media presence’s most recent role in the NFL was as the Giants’ offensive coordinator in 2021. Garrett’s head-coaching experience resulted in an 85-67 record over ten seasons with the Cowboys. The former Cowboys head coach is scheduled for Friday.
Stefanski
The Browns finally ended Stefanski’s tenure after years of speculation about the formerly embattled head coach. He’s a well-thought-of coach who received a raw deal from the Browns’ upper management. The constant bungling of Cleveland’s quarterback situation hampered his tenure, but he was not without faults of his own doing. Stefanski should be among the most sought-after head coaching candidates in the league. He’s currently scheduled to interview with the Titans on Saturday.
Morris
Morris was the first coach relieved of his duties this week in a somewhat surprising move after the Falcons reeled off four consecutive wins. He failed to win the hopelessly flawed and anemic NFC South in two full seasons, despite a talent advantage across the board. The failure cost him his job and should send him back to the defensive coordinator ranks for a while. However, he worked tirelessly for several years to rehabilitate his image after his first failed HC stint in Tampa. Tennessee could be interviewing him as a potential DC candidate to keep on file for later use if a stronger HC candidate emerges. Morris is a strong defensive mind for a Titans defense that needs reimagining.
Who could be the early leader in the clubhouse?
The perceived leader in the early stages of the coaching search must be Nagy, given his connections within the front office. However, Nagy comes with reservations, namely the stigma that the Chiefs’ offense became notably worse under his tenure. He isn’t a flawless candidate with the warts of his Chicago tenure still lingering on his CV. Stefanski is a hot name to watch in league circles and could be picked up soon. Joseph registers as a fantastic candidate given his work on the Broncos’ defense, and he’s ready for another chance at HC. Kingsbury presents an opportunity to develop Ward into something great, like Jayden Daniels, but his philosophy is in question at this juncture.
Any surprise candidates in store?
There aren’t many surprising candidates, but the revelation that Baltimore fired John Harbaugh was a bombshell lobbed across the league. According to some reports, while not explicitly mentioning the Titans, Harbaugh was contacted by every team with a vacancy. Tennessee rightfully should have an interest in a coach with his credentials. The end of his tenure in Baltimore wasn’t ideal, but the preceding seasons are a resume most franchises would trade for. The Titans should do everything permissible to get Harbaugh interested in their organization.
Other names to look out for?
ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler indicates the Titans could be interested in a couple of defense-first names to look out for. He opines that Tennessee has some interest in 49ers DC Robert Saleh and Rams DC Chris Shula. Both men have previously been linked to the job, but only peripherally. Shula is an intriguing candidate with a burnished resume, handling the young veteran Rams defense to greater heights. Saleh’s return to San Francisco has been a boon for the wounded 49ers defense as they battled for a playoff spot. If both coaches can provide a list of promising offensive coordinators to work with Ward, they are legitimate candidates to watch out for. Other names, such as Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, could emerge as playoff teams are eliminated.
Main Photo: [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] – Imagn Images