Titans’ Head Coaching Vacancy Could Take Shocking Turn
The Titans’ coaching search revealed itself as a closely guarded state secret with intimate details rarely leaking out despite perceived heavy interest in the job. Tennessee’s front office saw fit to relieve former head coach Brian Callahan of his duties in the middle of October. The Athletic’s college football reporters spilled the tea on the latest ongoings in the coaching carousel of that part of the world. Their tea included a spicy morsel that a sitting head coach of a potential CFP program draws the Titans’ interest. Will the Titans shock the world with a surprise in their coaching search? Per The Athletic, here’s the section that has Titans’ fans agog with interest on both sides of the carousel.
“This situation seems to be trending in a positive direction for Rebels fans who would like to keep their coach, but one note of caution: One industry source said there was at least a modicum of interest in Kiffin among decision-makers with the Tennessee Titans.”
Tennessee Titans Head Coaching Vacancy Could Take Shock Turn
Lane Kiffin isn’t the first collegiate head coach connected to Tennessee’s open head coaching vacancy this cycle. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian drew that honor via a report from Diana Russini last month. Coach Kiffin becomes the spiciest name to be associated with the gig. There are remnants of the University of Tennessee’s fanbase who still hold Kiffin in the most contemptuous regard. The offensive savant who brought Nick Saban into the modern era of offensive football is the subject of intense pursuit by multiple SEC programs.
Who is Lane Kiffin?
Ironically, Kiffin and Sarkisian share multiple connective tissues throughout their mutual careers. Both men served on the same USC staff under Pete Carroll. The Ole Miss coach has an indirect link to the Titans as he also learned under the watchful eye of former Titans OC Norm Chow. After his service with the Trojans, he parlayed the job into the Raiders’ head coaching job in 2007. The Raiders were a disaster under his reign, which began at just 32 years of age. Owner Al Davis fired him in 2008 with the dramatic flair of ancient media technology and accusations of impropriety. The coach filed a lawsuit that was later dismissed.
Theatrical Drama
Kiffin’s tumultuous and often mercurial relationship with the state of Tennessee began in 2009 with his lone season in Knoxville. His tenure was brief but memorable for his quips and barbs in the media, often accusing other coaches of engaging in salacious recruiting practices. He then left for the USC job, where he lasted for over two seasons, trying to recover from the fallout of the Reggie Bush scandal.
The former USC coach delivered on his panache of dramatic exits when he was fired at LAX after a loss. Kiffin used his time wisely for three seasons as Alabama OC, piloting the Tide’s offense to greater heights under Saban. Delivering on a great flair for the dramatic, he was relieved of his duties before a national championship loss. The reason cited was that he needed time to focus on his next head coaching job at FAU. Interestingly, Sark replaced Kiffin at USC and at Alabama.
After three seasons at FAU, he was named the head coach of Ole Miss for the 2020 season. He’s led the Rebels to previously unheard-of success, garnering 10 more wins in four of five seasons.
What could it mean for the Tennessee Titans?
Kiffin has had success with a variety of quarterback styles, making him an ideal candidate for an NFL team looking to fuel its offense. However, his time in Oakland will bring some pause, but Kiffin is mature as a man in his 40s. Tennessee has a youthful offense that needs direction, and he would be a good fit in that regard, armed with an interesting rolodex of assistants to call upon. He’s an offensive genius who elevates that side of the ball wherever he goes. The Titans could go in this direction, but are more likely to interview him to gather ideas on how to improve Cam Ward. If there is a legitimate interest between the two, they must strike quickly, given the hot and heavy interest elsewhere.
What could it mean for Ole Miss?
The playoff-contending Rebels are in the midst of their best season, but have to deal with the whims of the coaching carousel. The 2025 coaching cycle is wild, with powerhouse programs like Penn State, Florida, and LSU vacant. Ole Miss will need to fend off interest from Florida and LSU in particular, given the resources of those programs. Kiffin is reportedly happy in Oxford, but history shows that he has a wandering eye. The social media savant clearly marches to his own beat, poking bears and coaching great offenses. Attempting to fend off P2 interest is one thing, but can the Rebels withstand an NFL team that offers money and a better quality of life? The Rebels will find out in the next couple of weeks and months ahead.
Bengals Coach Zac Taylor Blames Steelers' Jalen Ramsey For Despicable Action From Ja'Marr Chase
Despite all the great plays that the Pittsburgh Steelers made in their victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the only thing that anyone wants to talk about is the fourth quarter incident where Ja'Marr Chase spit on Jalen Ramsey. Despite his claims that he never did it, video evidence has surfaced of him actually committing that disrespectful, disgusting act. There is no way to deny it now, and he could even be suspended a game for his classless decision. Spitting on someone does not belong in the game at all.
However, Chase has still received some support, despite him clearly being in the wrong. That included Head Coach Zac Taylor, who seems to be okay with what transpired on the field then.
Yes, there had been a lot of trash talking along with some pushing and shoving before that. However, that does not justify spitting on another player, yet Taylor feels the need to protect his star receiver.
In the eyes of many, Ramsey's reaction was completely reasonable, but that didn't stop Head Coach Mike Tomlin from chastising his star safety. He didn't want to hear any excuses for why he got ejected from the game, and he let the world know that. Tomlin is talking about how his players need to be "smarter" while Taylor is trying to show support for an act that should not be a part of any sport.
Even Bengals legend Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson did not hesitate to call out Chase for his horrible decision on the field. It seems like everyone but Taylor is capable of reading the room and understanding how wrong it is to spit on someone. There is just no way to justify it, no matter how hard the head coach tries to. There are very few acts more shameful than that.
Under that post, many fans have speculated that Taylor is very close to losing the locker room and only stood in support of his star player due to fear of completely losing it and being fired. However, it is still hard to support a man who seems to be content with his players going outside the game of football and defiling an opponent like that, especially during a blowout loss.
Steelers Are Not Only Team To Call Out Dumb Decisions By Their Own Players
As mentioned before, Tomlin called out Ramsey publicly for getting himself ejected during that whole incident. That's not the first time he has called out someone specifically for questionable decisions made on the field of play, and it most likely won't be his last. He prefers to handle everything behind closed doors, but if someone does something that's obviously wrong, he won't hesitate to say something about it.
Earlier in the 2025 season, Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell refused to defend safety Brian Branch for punching a player after the game was over. He called his player's actions "inexcusable" as he spoke about how terrible that act was. Of course, Campbell is one of the most fun, respected coaches in the NFL, but he still understands when a player goes too far.
It's also not the first time that a coach stood up for a star player after committing a horrible act against Pittsburgh. Then-head coach, Freddie Kitchens of the Cleveland Browns publicly wore a shirt that said "Steelers started it" after Myles Garrett whacked Mason Rudolph over the head with his own helmet, then lied about the quarterback calling him a slur. Kitchens was fired after that one season.
