Head Coach Candidates Evaluated by the Tennessee Titans Brass

Hiring an NFL head coach shapes a team’s future, and for the Tennessee Titans Brass—led by owner Amy Adams Strunk, GM Ran Carthon, and president Burke Nihill—the 2024 search is deliberate and data-driven. The goal: find a leader to unlock the roster’s potential (featuring young talent like QB Will Levis) and reconnect with the Tennessee community. Head Coach Candidates Evaluated by the Tennessee Titans Brass breaks down the key criteria, stakeholder roles, and process guiding this critical hire.

Head Coach Candidates Evaluated by the Tennessee Titans Brass centers on core evaluation criteria balancing on-field success and off-field leadership. First, the Titans prioritize candidates with a history of building winning cultures—whether as head coaches or coordinators—who can develop young players and adapt game plans to the roster’s strengths. Second, leadership style matters: candidates must communicate effectively and embody values like accountability and community engagement. Third, football IQ and flexibility are non-negotiable—leaders who design innovative schemes and adjust mid-game. “This isn’t just about wins,” Adams Strunk said. “It’s about integrity and making fans proud.” These standards have narrowed the candidate pool to a focused group.

A key part of the process is stakeholder involvement to ensure alignment. The core team includes Adams Strunk (final say), Carthon (roster collaboration), Nihill (community fit), and senior advisor Floyd Reese. Current players—Levis, WR DeAndre Hopkins, DT Jeffery Simmons—weigh in on what they want: a coach who listens, fosters locker-room trust, and communicates clearly. External experts (leadership consultants, former NFL coaches) add behavioral assessments, evaluating how candidates handle pressure or conflict. “We want this to be a team decision,” Carthon explained. This collaboration reduces misalignment and ensures the new coach has full support.

A defining aspect of Head Coach Candidates Evaluated by the Tennessee Titans Brass is diverse candidate profiles. The Brass considers three groups: NFL assistants (e.g., an AFC North DC with top-tier sack production, an NFC West OC who developed a Pro Bowl QB), college coaches (a Power Five leader focused on player development, a Group of Five innovator who turned around programs), and former NFL head coaches (with playoff and roster transition experience). “We’re not limiting ourselves,” Nihill said. “We need the right mix of skills, not just a specific background.” For the Tennessee Titans, this diversity ensures no hidden talent is overlooked.

Another critical step is the rigorous interview phase, tailored to test alignment with the Tennessee Titans’ goals. First-round virtual interviews cover football philosophy, roster strategies, and scenario handling (e.g., QB competitions). Top candidates visit Nissan Stadium for in-person meetings with the evaluation team, one-on-ones with Adams Strunk and Carthon, and a “community fit” check—meeting local leaders to discuss youth programs and charity engagement. “The coach is our community face,” said a Titans rep. Candidates also complete a game-planning exercise, outlining strategies for a hypothetical opponent. This thoroughness ensures the hire is both a football leader and community partner.

Wrapping up Head Coach Candidates Evaluated by the Tennessee Titans Brass is the timeline and final steps. The Brass prioritizes getting it right over speed, targeting a late-January 2025 hire—letting the new coach build a staff and prep for the Combine. Final reference checks verify candidates’ leadership and work ethic with former colleagues. A press conference at Nissan Stadium will introduce the hire to fans and media. “This is a new chapter,” Carthon said. “We’re building for long-term success.” Ultimately, the Titans’ process reflects the care needed to find a coach who fits today—and guides the team to championships tomorrow.