After just 23 games leading the team, Brian Callahan is no longer the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
On Monday, the team announced it had Callahan from his role following a 1-5 stretch to open 2025. The Titans also struggled their way through the 2024 season, regularly being blown out before landing the No. 1 overall pick and selecting quarterback Cam Ward.
Tennessee, which is led by a newer general manager in Mike Borgonzi, is opting to change leadership yet again with Callahan's firing. Former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Mike McCoy is expected to become the interim head coach.
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Why did the Titans part ways with Callahan six games into the 2025 season? Here's what to know about the move.
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Why did the Titans fire Brian Callahan?
Tennessee is off to a 1-5 start this season, with its only win coming against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5. That was a 22-21 comeback that was partially due to a significant blunder by Cardinals running back Emari Demercado — otherwise, the Titans haven't been able to piece together any momentum despite Ward taking over at quarterback.
Not only was Callahan a hire by the Titans' old administration, led by former GM Ran Carthon, but the team found little-to-nothing to build off in his stint. Tennessee went 3-14 last season after Callahan was hired in January 2024, which led to their new No. 1 pick in Ward.
The Titans released a statement following the coaching change.
"After extended conversations with our owner and general manager, we met with Brian Callahan this morning to tell him we are making a change at head coach. These decisions are never easy, and they become more difficult when they involve people of great character," the statement said. "While we are committed to a patient and strategic plan to build a sustainable, winning football program, we have not demonstrated sufficient growth.
Our players, fans, and community deserve a football team that achieves a standard we are not currently meeting, and we are committed to making the hard decisions necessary to reach and maintain that standard."
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 13, 2025
Not much has improved for the Titans' future outlook so far 2025. With the move, Borgonzi will be aiming to give a new coach the opportunity to lead Ward in the new era, finding potential building blocks in what appears to be one of the NFL's current rebuilding situations.
In Week 6, the Titans lost 20-10 to the Las Vegas Raiders. That was the final blow for Callahan, who lost his head coaching role after a total of just 23 games.
Ward, the 2025 first overall pick, now becomes the fourth consecutive No. 1 quarterback selection (Trevor Lawrence in 2021, Bryce Young in 2023, Caleb Williams in 2024) to see their head coach fired during their rookie season.
Who is the Titans interim head coach?
Per Ian Rapoport, Mike McCoy, a senior offensive assistant and former Chargers head coach, is expected to be named the interim head coach for Tennessee.
McCoy totaled a 27-37 record for the Chargers in his tenure from 2013-16, including one playoff appearance.
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Brian Callahan record
- 4-19 (.174)
Callahan finishes is time with the Titans, his lone NFL head coaching stint, with a 4-19 record. That included a 3-14 record in 2024, then a 1-5 record to open 2025.
Tennessee finished with the worst record in the NFL in Callahan's first season.
Brian Callahan contract
In January 2024, Callahan became the Titans' head coach on a five-year deal, which reportedly paid him around $3 million per year, according to Spotrac. He was under contract through the 2028 season.
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Brian Callahan coaching timeline
Here's a breakdown of Callahan's coaching career thus far.
UCLA, graduate assistant, 2006-07
Callahan, who played football at UCLA from 2002-05 as a quarterback and holder, began his coaching career at his alma mater, becoming a graduate assistant. From 2008-09, he was also the offensive coordinator at Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California.
Denver Broncos, coaching assistant, 2010-15
Callahan's first NFL experience was in Denver. He started as a coaching assistant in 2010, but also became an offensive quality control coach, then an offensive assistant, during his tenure.
After the Broncos won the Super Bowl in the 2015 season, Callahan departed from the team.
Detroit Lions, QBs coach, 2016-17
In 2016, Callahan became the Lions' quarterbacks coach, working directly with Matthew Stafford. He held that role for two seasons.
Raiders, QBs coach, 2018
Callahan made a lateral move in 2018, joining the Raiders as their quarterbacks coach.
Cincinnati Bengals, Offensive Coordinator, 2019-23
Callahan made a bigger name for himself in Cincinnati, becoming the Bengals' offensive coordinator in 2019 just before the franchise added quarterback Joe Burrow. During his tenure, the Bengals made a run to Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams.
After coaching one of the best offenses in the league for a few years, Callahan was given a head coaching opportunity.
Tennessee Titans, Head Coach, 2024-25
In 2024, the Titans hired Callahan as their head coach to succeed Mike Vrabel. However, Tennessee couldn't find much to build upon under Callahan.
After a 3-14 record in 2024, a change in leadership and a 1-5 record to start 2025, the Titans fired Callahan from his role as head coach.
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