NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have completed a virtual interview with a handful of candidates for the team's head coach position and are expected to have another series of interviews in the coming days.

So far, Tennessee has expressed interest in 10 different coaches, each with a unique background and skillset. But of all the coordinators being considered, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald might be the most dominant.

Here are my full thoughts on Macdonald and everything Titans fans need to know.

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Mike Macdonald – Ravens defensive coordinator

While he is in the middle of my list of favorite Titans head coach options, they don't get more dominant than Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Macdonald (36) first joined the Ravens in 2014 as a coaching intern and then went on to serve as a defensive assistant, defensive backs coach, and linebackers coach before leaving the NFL to get an opportunity as a defensive coordinator.

In 2021, Macdonald went from John Harbaugh's Ravens to Jim Harbaugh's Michigan Wolverines. In Macdonald’s only season at Michigan, the Wolverines allowed just 17.4 points per game. That was the 8th best mark in the country and the fewest points allowed by the program since 2016. Michigan won the Big Ten that season, played in the College Football Playoffs, and three players from Macdonald's defense were later selected in the first 45 picks of the 2022 NFL Draft.

When the Ravens parted ways with Wink Martindale following the 2021 season, the opportunity opened up for Macdonald to return to Baltimore as the defesnive coordinator. A Ravens defense that was 19th in points allowed in 2021 leaped to 3rd best in 2022 (18.5 points allowed per game) and 1st in 2023 (16.5 points allowed per game) with Macdonald calling the defensive plays. Macdonald's defense also led the league in sacks (60), passer rating allowed, and held opponents to less than 20 points 11 different times on the 2023 season. 

It was total defensive domination from Baltimore in 2023 as they earned the top seed in the AFC Playoffs.

"Mike [Macdonald] puts us in great positions to make plays,” said Jadeveon Clowney. “The guy knows what he's doing out there lining us up. So, when you have a coach like that, when quarterbacks pump the ball, it gives us an extra time to get there. We're making plays up front.”

According to Steve Zavala of A to Z Sports Baltimore, "Macdonald has already proved that he deserves to soon become a head coach" and "Baltimore has been more versatile with its coverages" since he took over. 

Of all the defensive coaches the Titans have on the interview list, Macdonald is by far my favorite. The only reason he's not higher in my rankings is personal preference for an offensive minded head coach. But I'm confident Macdonald will be a good head coach and win games somewhere, the fit in Tennessee just might not be ideal right now.

Ranking all 10 Tennessee Titans head coach candidates

Every Titans head coach candidate ranked 1-10.