Titans expected to hire 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as head coach

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2026-01-21

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The Tennessee Titans have found their next leader.

The Titans are expected to hire San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as the team’s head coach, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported late Monday night, per sources.

Garafolo reported that Saleh had been slated to meet with the Arizona Cardinals regarding their open position, but Tennessee closed the deal before he made that interview.

Saleh, 46, is back at the helm of a franchise after his second stint as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. He previously spent three-plus seasons as the New York Jets head coach (2021-24), posting a 20-36 record as he dealt with issues at the QB position throughout his tenure.

Before taking the head coaching job in New York, Saleh spent four seasons as the 49ers’ DC from 2017 to 2020.

Saleh’s return in the Bay Area saw season-ending injuries to Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and Fred Warner (ankle), but he still guided San Francisco to the 13th-ranked scoring defense this past campaign.

Despite injuries on both sides of the ball, Saleh and the 49ers managed to go 12-5 in the regular season and had an opportunity in Week 18 to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed. However, San Francisco came up short against Seattle in the final week of the regular season — and again fell to the Seahawks two weeks later in the Divisional Round.

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Garafolo reported that Saleh is expected to call defensive plays for Tennessee, something that he did not do as Jets HC.

Saleh was a popular candidate to get a second head coaching opportunity and took multiple interviews during this year’s head coaching cycle. Rapoport and Pelissero reported that Saleh impressed the Tennessee brass, who also spoke with former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on Monday.

Warner told reporters on Monday that it would “suck a lot” if Saleh potentially left for another coaching opportunity. Nonetheless, Saleh is now heading to Nashville for his second head coaching job.

The Titans fired Brian Callahan last October after a 1-5 start to his second season. They went on to finish 3-14 in the 2025 season and currently hold the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Titans had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and selected quarterback Cam Ward. In Ward’s rookie season, he completed 59.8% of his passes with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

With Saleh taking over, his presence should immediately upgrade a defense that ranked 28th in points allowed per game (28.1). The key for the new head coach will be his offensive coordinator hire. Ward showed promise down the stretch last season, and his continued development should be the focal point of Saleh’s early tenure.