SEC source aligns with latest Steve Sarkisian report on NFL interest that could reshape the Titans’ 2026 coaching search
Steve Sarkisian has been the head coach at Texas since 2021, but he is exploring other possibilities now, and the NFL is the possible destination.
Usually, NFL teams tend to look at former head coaches and up-and-coming coordinators during their HC searches. The Tennessee Titans’ process to find Brian Callahan’s replacement, though, may take a turn to the college ranks.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, representatives for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian have informed NFL decision-makers that he is interested in potential head coaching openings, including the Titans’ one. An SEC source back in September had mentioned Sarkisian’s interest in going to the NFL to A to Z Sports, and he made our annual list of potential head coaches for the 2026 hiring cycle.
College and NFL experience
A 51-year-old coach, Steve Sarkisian, also has NFL experience. He was the Oakland Raiders’ quarterbacks coach back in 2004, then became the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator for two years, in 2017 and 2018, replacing Kyle Shanahan.
In each of those instances, Sarkisian worked with experienced, veteran quarterbacks, which is not exactly the Titans’ circumstance with Cam Ward. Kerry Collins was the Raiders quarterback at that point with almost a full decade of NFL experience, and Matt Ryan worked with Sarkisian on the Falcons right after getting his NFL MVP award.
Sarkisian has been back in the college game since 2019. First, as the Alabama offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. And since 2021, as the Texas head coach. This is his third HC experience, after leading programs at Washington and USC.
Now, though, Sarkisian wants his first chance as an NFL head coach. It’s unclear if the Tennessee Titans would be open to this idea, but if they are, Sarkisian could emerge as an experienced coach on both levels and with an offensive background.
After the Titans fired Callahan, Mike McCoy took over as the interim head coach. Offensive coordinator Nick Holz and quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree have led the offense.
There are still several factors to come into play between now and the end of the season, but this could be another element in the Titans’ coaching search.
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