Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan met with reporters on Saturday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, offering a wide-ranging update on the team’s offseason progress, the mentality inside the locker room, and the blueprint for returning to contention in a tightly contested AFC South. Speaking candidly and with clarity, Callahan exuded the quiet confidence of a coach who knows the heavy lifting is just beginning but believes in the foundational pieces already in place. It was a conversation rooted in accountability, growth, and a renewed energy around a franchise that has undergone significant transition.
Callahan, who took over as the Titans’ head coach earlier this year after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, is still settling into his new surroundings. Yet, he’s wasted no time putting his stamp on the organization. From revamping the offensive approach to redefining the team’s cultural identity, Callahan’s leadership style was on full display as he fielded questions about everything from player development to the franchise’s long-term outlook. In front of a media group that’s grown increasingly anxious to see results, the first-year head coach leaned into the moment.
“Every time we take the field—whether it’s during OTAs, minicamp, or the preseason—it’s an opportunity to get better,” Callahan said. “That’s been the message since day one: compete with urgency, prepare like professionals, and hold each other to a high standard. We’re not trying to skip steps. We’re trying to build something sustainable.”
Sustainable success is exactly what Titans fans are craving. After a rollercoaster 2023 campaign that saw Tennessee finish near the bottom of the division and struggle to generate consistent offense, the front office made a bold move in hiring Callahan, known for his quarterback-friendly philosophy and innovative play designs. Though there’s still much to prove, Saturday’s media availability served as an important checkpoint—a moment to take stock of what’s already changed and where the team is headed.
Callahan spoke highly of the buy-in from players, particularly veterans who have embraced new schemes and younger teammates adjusting to the NFL. He emphasized communication, trust, and work ethic as core pillars of the new regime. “The response has been tremendous,” he said. “There’s an eagerness in the building. Guys want to be coached. They want to be pushed. We’ve created an environment where it’s okay to make mistakes in pursuit of improvement. That’s where real growth happens.”
The conversation inevitably turned to quarterback Will Levis, whose development will be closely tied to Callahan’s early success in Nashville. The former Kentucky star flashed potential in limited action last season but remains unproven as a full-time starter. Still, Callahan didn’t hesitate to express his belief in the second-year signal-caller.
“Will has all the tools. The arm strength, the mobility, the toughness—it’s all there,” Callahan said. “What we’re focused on right now is helping him process faster, make sound decisions, and lead with consistency. He’s been in the facility every day, attacking the playbook, working on footwork, communicating with teammates. He wants it. And as a coach, that’s all you can ask for at this stage.”
Callahan noted that the team’s offensive identity would be shaped around Levis’s strengths, with an emphasis on getting the ball out quickly and using tempo to dictate pace. The Titans are expected to run a variation of the West Coast offense, infused with vertical concepts and pre-snap motion to create mismatches. Callahan also pointed to the additions of playmakers like Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard as “difference-makers” capable of transforming the team’s offensive ceiling.
“When you have weapons, you use them,” he said. “Ridley brings route-running precision and a competitive edge. Pollard gives us flexibility out of the backfield and in the slot. These guys are pros. They elevate everyone around them, and they’re going to give defenses a lot to think about.”
On the defensive side, Callahan deferred to coordinator Dennard Wilson, who brings with him a reputation for physical, disciplined play. But the head coach was quick to praise the unit’s emerging leaders and the tone they’re setting behind the scenes. He mentioned players like Jeffery Simmons and Azeez Al-Shaair as vocal presences and tone-setters in the locker room.
“Simmons is the heartbeat,” Callahan said. “He’s vocal, he’s relentless, and he holds himself to the highest standard. Guys feed off that. Azeez brings energy and detail. He studies like a coach and plays with passion. That combination is contagious.”
With minicamp on the horizon, the focus remains internal—improving habits, tightening execution, and getting younger players up to speed. Callahan highlighted the importance of establishing situational mastery—third down, red zone, two-minute drills—as a key offseason objective. “That’s where games are won,” he noted. “You have to be sharp when the pressure’s on. You have to execute in moments that matter.”
The coaching staff is also putting a premium on special teams, often an overlooked phase but one Callahan believes can swing momentum and determine outcomes. He called special teams coordinator Colt Anderson “one of the best teachers I’ve ever been around” and praised the buy-in from core contributors on coverage units.
The mood at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park has been described as “energetic and focused,” with a noticeable uptick in accountability and attention to detail. Veterans have taken younger players under their wing. Coaches have established clear expectations. Everyone, it seems, is rowing in the same direction. Callahan’s fingerprints are everywhere.
When asked what surprised him most about the early days in Tennessee, Callahan didn’t hesitate. “The people,” he said. “From ownership to staff to the fans—there’s a real sense of pride in this organization. People care deeply about the Titans. You feel that responsibility the minute you walk through the doors. That matters to me. That drives me.”
The Titans’ schedule, released earlier in the week, features a tough stretch of early opponents, including games against several playoff contenders. Callahan acknowledged the challenge but dismissed the idea that his team would shy away from high expectations. “We welcome it,” he said. “Steel sharpens steel. We’re not afraid of the moment. We’re preparing to be at our best regardless of opponent.”
Off the field, Callahan has also taken steps to connect with the Nashville community. He’s made appearances at local events, visited youth football programs, and emphasized the importance of building relationships beyond the locker room. “It’s not just about Sundays,” he said. “It’s about representing something bigger than yourself. It’s about impact.”
As the press conference wound down, Callahan returned to a familiar theme: patience with urgency. It’s a balancing act, one every coach must navigate—especially one taking over a team in transition. But Callahan’s message was clear: every rep, every meeting, every practice matters. It’s all part of the process. And the Titans, under his leadership, are committed to doing things the right way.
“There are no shortcuts,” he said. “We’re going to earn everything. That’s how you build trust. That’s how you win. One day at a time.”
In a league where results often dictate headlines, Saturday’s media session served as a reminder that real change starts with vision, purpose, and buy-in. Brian Callahan is only just beginning his journey in Tennessee, but if his first few months on the job are any indication, the Titans may have found the steady hand they’ve been searching for.