Music City Miracles
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons discussed how the team’s upcoming head coaching search has to focus on leadership and building the culture following Sunday’s embarrassing 25-3 Week 13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That got us thinking. Which potential coaching candidates would be culture-driven hires?
We’ve identified five in particular.
Mike McCarthy enjoyed two lengthy stints as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. He has direct ties to Titans president Chad Brinker, who was alongside him in Green Bay for a period. A Super Bowl winner with a 60.8% all-time win percentage, there’s no doubt that McCarthy checks the Titans’ experience boxes with a strong resume of building locker room culture.
Is there a tougher coach in the NFL than San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh? His viral skirmish with Jaguars head coach Liam Coen proved he doesn’t mess around. Saleh flamed out with the New York Jets, but ownership and Zach Wilson/Aaron Rodgers made that a borderline impossible job.
Albert Breer of SI recently reported that Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is among the candidates gaining consideration from the Titans. Minter has more than 10 years of coordinating experience at the NCAA and NFL level. He’s spent considerable time with the hard-nosed Jim Harbaugh, indicating he’s probably learned how to run a tight ship.
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula is also a potential candidate, per Breer. The grandson of the legendary Don Shula, he possesses legitimate NFL bloodlines. He’s also coached under Sean McVay since 2017, and his defense currently ranks second in the NFL in points allowed.
Culture and leadership wasn’t a problem when Arthur Smith was the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach, and the team has actually gotten worse since firing him despite spending premium resources at quarterback. Smith was well-liked within the Titans’ organization, and his offense was the best Nashville had seen in decades. Amy Adams Strunk may strongly consider him.
