Two ASSISTANT Head Coaches the Titans New Head Coach should Keep!
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
The Tennessee Titans' offseason has officially started after their week 18 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the head coaching search is off and running.. In one of his first press conferences of the offseason, Titans’ general manager Mike Borgonzi mentioned that it would be up to the coach they hire to decide if they will retain or fire the coordinators on the team.
Dennard Wilson, the Titans’ current defensive coordinator, has had mixed views cast on whether he has been successful with his role. In the 2025 season, the team had the 21st-ranked defense in total yards, with the 23rd-ranked passing and 15th passing and rushing rankings, respectively. This is a large decrease from his inaugural season with the team, where they hoisted the #2 defense in total yards.
To Wilson’s credit, the talent he worked with this year was at an all-time low, and the injuries were at an all-time high. From the start to the end of the season the team lost their starting 3 cornerbacks, as well as a number of safeties. The secondary just got worse and worse to a point that not even the great Bill Belichick would be able to make them competent.
When he has had the talent, Wilson has shown to be capable of leading a defense to be near the top in rankings, but through his short tenure with the team, he hasn’t been given too great of an opportunity. I believe he would be good in the role if he retains it, but I doubt the new head coach will choose to keep him. If he does, though, it will not be a bad choice.
John “Bones” Fassel, the Titans’ current special teams coordinator, has completely turned the tide of the Titans' special teams. Last season, under Colt Anderson, the team experienced sloppy coverage, limited return yards, and inconsistency. Fassel, on the other hand, gave the Titans electric returns under Chimere Dike, low opposing return yards with great coverage and tackling, and the first blocked punt for the team since 2012.
Players and fans alike have loved the addition of Fassel to the coaching staff, and I imagine the new head coach will make every effort that he can to retain him. For the past decade and a half, Fassel has been one of the best coordinators in the NFL and hopes to get a head coaching job in the future. He has trained talent such as Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, and Brandon Aubrey, and is only adding to his strong reputation as a Titans staff member.
If he believes his best opportunity to be a head coach in the future is by going to another team, then that is respectable. If he wants to move on, though, he will have to reach an agreement with the new coach because all staff members have contracts, and Bones likely has another year or two on his contract.
The final main coordinator for the Tennessee Titans is Nick Holz, and his tenure has been underwhelming. He doesn’t call plays, and the Titans’ offense has been consistently near the bottom of the pack. This season, they were 31st in total yards and 30th in points, which is unacceptable for an NFL team.
I imagine the new head coach decides to find a more proven offensive coordinator in hopes of turning the offense around. The hopes are to be a much better offense to help the young players thrive and develop quarterback Cam Ward, and Holz has not been able to prove he can do so.
Written by Brody Rupert
Contributor for SharmSports
