By PAUL KUHARSKY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans rebuilt their coaching staff around Robert Saleh. Some of those coaches will have a far greater influence on the franchise's future than their titles suggest.
This isn't a ranking of titles. It's a ranking of influence. Some position coaches rank ahead of coordinators because their impact on Cam Ward, the offensive line and the Titans' young core could shape whether this rebuild succeeds.
Tier 1: People Who Will Determine If This Works
Robert Saleh, Head Coach
Fans know Saleh as a defensive coach. But his role as CEO, relationship builder and tone-setter will be bigger.
The Titans have talked repeatedly about structure. He hired a staff that looks strong and helped recruit veterans in free agency, many of whom are familiar to him, which raises the talent level. Saleh has brought a teaching-heavy approach, from "Just One Thing" to detailed player development. His influence extends well beyond defense.
Why he matters: He sets the tone for the entire football operation. No NFL team rebounds from back-to-back three-win seasons without a strong coach who earns significant buy-in.
Brian Daboll, Offensive Coordinator
Nevermind his title.
No assistant coach has more influence over the franchise's future.
Cam Ward is the most important player in the building. Daboll is the coach most responsible for developing him. If Ward becomes a franchise quarterback,
Daboll will have played a major role. And if it happens soon, Daboll will get a second head coaching job in short order. If Ward struggles, people will go back and look back at the options Robert Saleh and Mike Borgonzi had.
Why he matters: The Titans are building the whole thing around Ward, and the offense-build and play caller is essential to that. He’s heavily influenced personnel as the Titans brought in his former players as free agents – WanDale Robinson, Cor’Dale Flott, Daniel Bellinger, Austin Schlottmann, Mitch Trubisky and Courtney Jackson.
Carmen Bricillo, Offensive Line
We can discuss Ward, Carnell Tate and Calvin Ridley to death.
If the offensive line isn't better, none of it matters.
Bricillo inherited a group featuring Dan Moore, JC Latham and Peter Skoronski and with center and right guard spots still sorting themselves out. The Titans are counting on him to make the group functional and more consistent, something it has not been for too long. He’s done strong work in New England, Las Vegas and with the Giants.
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Why he matters: He may have more impact on Ward's rookie season than any coach not named Daboll.
CARMEN BRICILLO’S COACHING ROOTS OFFER CLUES TO THE TITANS’ OFFENSIVE LINE PLAN
Aaron Whitecotton, Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line
Jeffery Simmons. John Franklin-Myers. Keldric Faulk. Jermaine Johnson.
The Titans are counting on their front to carry the defense. And the All-Pro Simmons had a lot of quality and a ton of quantity added to his room.
Whitecotton is coaching the deepest and potentially most important position group on the roster. He counts former Titans DL coach Jim Washburn as a mentor, and Washburn was known for getting every ounce out of his guys and helping them earn big free-agent deals.
Why he matters: If the pass rush doesn't improve, expectations for the defense will change quickly.
John Fassel, Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
One of the most accomplished hires on the staff, the Titans held on to him after Brian Callahan and then Mike McCoy were let go.
He rejuvenated Tennessee’s special teams after miserable years / miserable moments under Craig Aukerman and Colt Anderson. It starts with All-Pro punt returner Chim Dike, but given a second year and a better roster to help choose contributors from, Fassel should have improved units helping with hidden yardage.
Why he matters: He’s a super steady influence who interacts with a ton of players.
Tier 2: The Coaches Quietly Driving the Rebuild
Gus Bradley, Defensive Coordinator
The coordinator from the same side of the ball as the head coach tends to be somewhat less influential in the big picture. And Saleh will be the defensive play caller.
But Bradley brings huge energy and reinforcement. He’s been a head coach and worked separate of Saleh plenty, so he will bring fresh and different ideas to the defense that they both believe in but have operated with different wrinkles.
Why he matters: Saleh may call the defense, but Bradley will still have his fingerprints on how quickly the unit develops.
Shea Tierney, Quarterbacks
Most fans will credit Daboll for Ward's development.
But Tierney will be the coach spending the most time with him, even if some of what he preaches is passed down.
Every footwork correction. Every meeting. Every mechanical adjustment.
Why he matters: No assistant will have more daily interaction with Ward.
Tony Oden, Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks
Oden is a holdover from Brian Callahan’s staff, whose relationship with Saleh dates back to 2003.
His group has just one holdover player of note: nickel Marcus Harris.
Oden will oversee the thew play of new starters Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott as well as Joshua Williams, plus the growth of an inexperienced crew behind them where depth currently ranks as a lingering issue.
Why he matters: Corner play may determine whether Saleh's defense reaches its ceiling.
Dave Borgonzi, Linebackers
The most interesting player in his room is Anthony Hill Jr., the second-round draft choice. Borgonzi (pictured) has a big chance to make a big early impression with Hill.
If Hill becomes what the Titans believe he can become, Borgonzi's coaching will be a significant part of that story. Cedric Gray is looking to become a more complete player, and the brother of the Titans GM will be instrumental there as well. The depth needs development
Why he matters: The Titans don’t generally put a lot of value on the position, but Hill and Gray and value picks who the Titans need to be a big part of the defense.
Greg Lewis, Wide Receivers
Brings a solid reputation primarily from his time with the Chiefs.
The Titans rebuilt the receiver room with Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, who really diversify the group.
Lewis needs to have Tate primed to live up to his status as the No. 4 pick in the draft and help inject Robinson into the offense while accelerating the growth of second-year men Chim Dike and Elic Ayomanor. Bryce Oliver is a player who needs to get things right and it would be good if the Titans could upgrade the guys they have developing on the practice squad.
Why he matters: The franchise is counting on dramatic improvement at receiver.
Tier 3: Coaches Fans Should Know Better
Dalton Hilliard, Defensive Backs/Nickels
The first coach to hold the title with the franchise. It’s a spot that is gaining traction around the league as the third corner/safety has become vital and is typically a part of the defensive set who is on the field the most.
The Titans have really been talking up Marcus Harris, who will be Hilliard’s primary pupil. Tony Adams will likely spend a lot of time with him too.
Why he matters: He will work closely with Marquand Manuel and Tony Oden as one of the most specialized coaches the Titans have.
TITANS EVOLVING STAFF WILL INCLUDE A NICKEL COACH
Luke Stocker, Tight Ends
Gunnar Helm was a second-round pick last year and will be at the front of the line this year. Now the team has added free agents Daniel Bellinger and Kylen Granson and seventh-rounder Jaren Kanak. Two and even three-tight end sets are making a comeback and can do a lot to dictate defensive personnel.
Stocker is another coach Saleh retained from the previous staff, and under Mike McCoy Stocker had a big influence on the run game.
The Titans have talked about preparing for the possibility that Daboll is a short-timer. If Stocker keeps progressing, don't be surprised if he's viewed as part of the succession plan.
Why he matters: The Titans want to be more multiple offensively, and the tight end room could play a significant role in that evolution.
Marquand Manuel, Safeties
He grew up on a starting defense with depth as one of 18 children.
Manuel played under Steve Spurrier at Florida and in eight NFL seasons, he was on six different rosters, most notably for the 2005 Seattle Seahawks who played in the Super Bowl. Later, he helped coach Seattle's Legion of Boom defense.
Kevin Winston, the Titans' 2026 third-rounder, should be a key piece of the defense. Manuel will oversee his development alongside veteran Amani Hooker while also helping integrate Tony Adams and build depth behind them.
Why he matters: Saleh's defense relies on safeties who communicate, disguise coverages and keep everyone aligned. Manuel is responsible for developing one of the most important young players on that side of the ball in Kevin Winston.
Randy Jordan, Running Backs
Jordan won over the front office in 2025, and Saleh decided to keep him in place on the new staff.
Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears remain critical pieces of the offense, with rookie Nick Singleton joining the crew.
Jordan has already become a visible teacher during OTAs. He also coordinates the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
Why he matters: The Titans are absolutely going to still run the football, and could have more chances is they don’t trail so often.
The Most Interesting Name On The List
Cade Knox, Offensive Assistant, Game Management
A case is increasingly being made around the league that the person in the head coach's ear during a game with advice on clock management, challenges, rules interpretations and fourth down decisions is really a fourth coordinator.
The Titans struggled in this department under Brian Callahan, while Joe "Stretch" Streicher was a real asset for Mike Vrabel.
Enter Knox, who will fill the role for Saleh.
Why he matters: Games can be won and lost with the right challenges, timeouts or fourth-down calls.
CADE KNOX BECOMES ROBERT SALEH'S GAME MANAGEMENT AIDE
The Wild Card
Rob Dadona, Chief of Staff
Fans rarely know these jobs and his title is different from what we’ve seen in the past. Tom Jones was assistant to Brian Callahan. Jon Streicher finished as Mike Vrabel’s director of football administration.
Structure, organization and communication are super important here, and odds are Dadona is a central piece of that behind the scenes.
The people coordinating the coaches often become more important than outsiders realize.
Why he matters: Every NFL operation runs on more than coaches and players.
