The Tennessee Titans have found their next leader.
The Titans are expected to hire San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as the team's head coach, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported late Monday night, per sources.
Garafolo reported that Saleh had been slated to meet with the Arizona Cardinals regarding their open position, but Tennessee closed the deal before he made that interview.
Tennessee announced the hire on Thursday.
"We're delighted to welcome Robert and his family to the Titans, and firmly believe he is the right person for our team and community," owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. "We immediately connected with his competitive spirit and detailed approach to developing our players and team. Also, Robert's recommendations from across the league were overwhelmingly positive and were only reinforced during our time together."
General manager Mike Borgonzi added, "Robert embodies the fundamental values of what we believe a Titan should look like and represent. He's smart, tough, dependable, and values working with people. His innate ability to lead and respond to adversity is what makes him the right person to lead our football program back to one whose identity embodies sustainable success. We understand the urgency to win, and believe this is a step in that direction with a coach best equipped to accomplish our goals. The work has just begun, but I'm grateful for this partnership and excited to build this together."
Saleh, 46, is back at the helm of a franchise after his second stint as the 49ers' defensive coordinator. He previously spent three-plus seasons as the New York Jets head coach (2021-24), posting a 20-36 record as he dealt with issues at the QB position throughout his tenure.
Before taking the head coaching job in New York, Saleh spent four seasons as the 49ers' DC from 2017 to 2020.
Saleh’s return in the Bay Area saw season-ending injuries to Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and Fred Warner (ankle), but he still guided San Francisco to the 13th-ranked scoring defense this past campaign.
Despite injuries on both sides of the ball, Saleh and the 49ers managed to go 12-5 in the regular season and had an opportunity in Week 18 to secure the NFC's No. 1 seed. However, San Francisco came up short against Seattle in the final week of the regular season -- and again fell to the Seahawks two weeks later in the Divisional Round.
Garafolo reported that Saleh is expected to call defensive plays for Tennessee, something that he did not do as Jets HC.
Saleh was a popular candidate to get a second head coaching opportunity and took multiple interviews during this year's head coaching cycle. Rapoport and Pelissero reported that Saleh impressed the Tennessee brass, who also spoke with former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on Monday.
Warner told reporters on Monday that it would "suck a lot" if Saleh potentially left for another coaching opportunity. Nonetheless, Saleh is now heading to Nashville for his second head coaching job.
"For me, this was the most desirable location, the most desirable team," Saleh said in a statement. "What I learned about the organization, the more phone calls I made, the more people I spoke to, this building, I feel like it fits me, will fit us, the best. The people here are unbelievable, and they're the type of people you want to work with.
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. And I am really excited about the city of Nashville and bringing a winner back to the city."
The Titans fired Brian Callahan last October after a 1-5 start to his second season. They went on to finish 3-14 in the 2025 season and currently hold the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Titans had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and selected quarterback Cam Ward. In Ward’s rookie season, he completed 59.8% of his passes with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
With Saleh taking over, his presence should immediately upgrade a defense that ranked 28th in points allowed per game (28.1). The key for the new head coach will be his offensive coordinator hire. Ward showed promise down the stretch last season, and his continued development should be the focal point of Saleh's early tenure.
Tennessee previously restructured its front office ahead of this offseason's coaching hire, with Borgonzi taking over final say of the 53-man roster and leading the search for a new HC.