The Titans are set to embark in earnest on a wide-ranging coaching search beginning next week -- and they'll do it with a restructured football operation.
Sources say Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi will take over final say of the 53-man roster and he'll lead the search for the next head coach, who will report to Borgonzi.
President of football operations Chad Brinker and Borgonzi will now both report to Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk. Previously, Borgonzi and the coach had reported to Brinker, who also had final say on the 53-man roster.
The change is a product of discussions between Brinker and Borgonzi about streamlining the operation and making clear who's in charge of football decisions. Strunk embraced the plan.
Brinker will remain heavily involved in all aspects of running the building, as well as salary cap planning, research and analytics. But the lanes will now be clearer and answer questions some head coaching candidates might've had about who's in charge of what: Borgonzi will oversee coaching and scouting, and the new coach will run the team on the field.
The decision was informed by Brinker and Borgonzi's time in Green Bay and Kansas City, respectively -- two championship organizations that have long had clearly defined roles and reporting structures for their top football people.
"After working together for the past year, they believe -- and I agree -- there is a long-term benefit to clarifying and honing the focus areas of our football leadership," Strunk said in a letter to Titans fans on Friday announcing the moves. "For that reason, we're returning to a front office that feels more straightforward to them and me. Going forward, Mike will serve as general manager in the most traditional sense -- pick and support the players, oversee the coaching staff -- while Chad will continue to lead everything else about the football team."
Strunk added: "Both will report to me, and their collective goal is to return the football team to the championship caliber you deserve."
With No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward playing well recently, a strong rookie class overall and plenty of salary cap space, in a desirable city with a new stadium opening in 2027, the Titans' head coaching job is an attractive one.
The team fired Brian Callahan in October, giving them a head start on a search that has included homework on dozens of candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds, including college coaches.
Former NFL head coaches Mike McCarthy and Matt Nagy (currently the Chiefs OC) -- who worked with Brinker and Borgonzi, respectively -- are expected to be among the Titans' candidates when interviews begin next week. But the team will take a deliberate approach to finding its next leader.
Other names likely to receive interview requests from Tennessee include Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, former Jets head coach and current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, among others.
