Robert Saleh’s Defensive Coaching Staff Hot Board: Defensive coordinator and other connections to the Titans’ new head coach
A running list of defensive coaches who could join Robert Saleh in Tennessee
Robert Saleh is the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, and he now has to turn his attention to building out his coaching staff.
A part of the appeal of Saleh was reportedly the depth of his rolodex. He is expected to field an impressive staff despite an extremely crowded field of new head coaches working to do the same thing. The assistant pool is extremely turbulent this year.
The Titans’ sprawling interview process involved initial talks with a handful of candidates suspected to functionally be coordinator interviews, so I’ve combined those names with the list from coaching-connections connoisseur Zach Lyons to create this running board of defensive coaches to keep an eye out for. You can read the offensive version of this list right here.
Here’s a rundown of each defensive coach’s NFL experience and connection to head coach Saleh:
Potential defensive Coordinator and defensive assistants for Head Coach Robert Saleh
Raheem Morris
- Experience: Former Falcons head coach from 2024-2025, Rams DC from 2021-2023, with the Falcons in various roles from 2015-2020, Buccaneers HC from 2009-2011
- Saleh Connection: An indirect connection through the Shanahan coaching tree: Morris worked with Shanahan repeatedly (2004 in Tampa Bay, 2012-2014 in Washington, and 2015-2016 in Atlanta). Saleh worked with Shanahan in San Francisco beginning in 2017.
Jonathan Gannon
- Experience: Former Cardinals HC from 2023-2025, Eagles DC from 2021-2022, Colts DB coach from 2018-2020
- Saleh Connection: None besides both being interviewed for the Titans head coach job in 2026
Joe Woods
- Experience: Former Raiders pass game coordinator and DB coach in 2025, Saints DC from 2023-2024, Browns DC from 2020-2022, 20+ years in the NFL
- Saleh Connection: 49ers passing game coordinator/DB coach under Saleh in San Francisco
Marquand Manuel
- Experience: Former Giants DB coach in 2025, Jets S coach from 2021-2024, Eagles DB coach in 2020, Falcons DC from 2017-2018, 10+ years in the NFL
- Saleh Connection: Worked together originally in Seattle before later being hired by Saleh in New York as the safety/DB coach of the Jets
Kris Kocurek
- Experience: Current 49ers DL coach from 2019-2025, former Lions and Dolphins DL coach, 15+ years in the NFL
- Saleh Connection: 49ers DL coach under Saleh during both stints in San Francisco
Tony Oden
- Experience: Current Titans pass game coordinator/CB coach in 2025, Jets senior defensive assistant/CB coach from 2021-2025, 49ers secondary/CB coach in 2020, 20+ years in the NFL
- Saleh Connection: DBs coach under Saleh in San Francisco, before later being hired as his defensive assistant and CB coach with the Jets
Daniel Bullocks
- Experience: current 49ers DB coach since 2019, 10+ years in the NFL
- Saleh Connection: 49ers assistant DB/S coach under Saleh during both stints in San Francisco
Tennessee Titans News
Titans Hire Robert Saleh As Next Head Coach: How the former 49ers and Jets coach proves the franchise is serious about winning
The Tennessee Titans are hiring Robert Saleh as their next head coach in 2026.
