Lloyd Cushenberry: Bill Callahan a big reason I chose Titans in free agency

The opportunity to learn under Bill Callahan made the Titans attractive to center Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency.

New Tennessee Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry had 50 million reasons to join the team in free agency — well, 50 million and one.

During his introductory press conference on Thursday, Cushenberry revealed that the chance to learn under esteemed offensive line coach Bill Callahan was a big reason to come to Nashville.

“Bill Callahan,” Cushenberry replied when asked what attracted him to the Titans, per Terry McCormick of Titan Insider. “His resume speaks for itself. He’s coached a lot of great guys, and I’ve heard a lot of great things about him. I think it’s a good opportunity for me to continue to grow my game and take the next step as a player.”

Callahan won’t be the first highly-respected offensive line coach Cushenberry will work under, as he also spent time learning from former Titans head coach and offensive line coach, Mike Munchak, during his days in Denver

“Coach Munch was amazing, and I see a lot of similarities to what Callahan is teaching,” he said. “Coming in, he helped me a lay a great foundation and since that point, every year I’ve gotten better, and that’s what I want to continue to do.”

Cushenberry, who was one of the best centers available in free agency, will be a massive upgrade for Tennessee under center. It stands to reason he could get even better under Callahan’s tutelage.

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Titans hiring Scott Fuchs as assistant OL coach

The Titans are reportedly hiring Kansas OL coach Scott Fuchs as their assistant OL coach.

The Tennessee Titans still had a few positions left to fill on their coaching staff after confirming several hires during the week, one of which was assistant offensive line coach.

Well, the team is apparently filling that job with Kansas offensive line coach, Scott Fuchs, according to John Brice of Football Scoop, and as confirmed by Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky.

Fuchs was hired by Kansas in 2021 and has 30 years of experience coaching in college. This will be his first foray into the pros, though. Fuchs also has experience as a defensive line coach (Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 1999).

Fuchs coached seven All-Big 12 selections during his time at Kansas and the Jayhawks had the fourth-most rushing yards and fourth-fewest sacks allowed in the conference in 2023, per his bio on the school’s official website.

During his stint at Buffalo in 2020, the program ranked second in the nation in rushing yards per game and gave up just one sack, tied for the fewest in the country.

He was also nominated for the Broyles award that year, which is given to the top assistant coach in college football.

And, in 2019 and 2020, the Bulls’ offensive line was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, which is given to the best offensive line in the country.

Fuchs will work under esteemed offensive line coach, Bill Callahan.

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Why Titans should target OL Nick Harris in free agency

Matthew Curry explains why the Titans should target Browns pending free agent and OL Nick Harris in free agency.

For what feels like the one millionth offseason in the row, the Tennessee Titans once again need offensive line help. It’s possible Tennessee will only return one starter (Peter Skoronski) from their 2023 unit in 2024.

The Titans are off to an inspiring start in their quest to rebuild the trenches. The team hired one of the best offensive line coaches in the league in the form of Bill Callahan, son of new Titans head coach, Brian Callahan.

With many holes to fill, Tennessee could turn to a cheaper option at center in pending free-agent Nick Harris, who has connections to the elder Callahan.

Why? Let’s break it down.

Titans’ Brian Callahan talks working with his dad, Bill Callahan

Titans head coach Brian Callahan said he drives into work with his dad, OL coach Bill Callahan, every day.

One of the best things about the Tennessee Titans hiring head coach Brian Callahan was him bringing his dad and esteemed offensive line coach, Bill Callahan, with him.

During the introductory press conference for his offensive and defensive coordinators on Wednesday afternoon, Callahan touched on the process of bringing his father with him from the Cleveland Browns.

“There was a complicated process because it wasn’t something that I had anticipated him, in the moment, that that’s what he wanted to do,” Callahan said. “I wasn’t sure he would be contractually allowed to and it was a process that we had to work through with the Browns’ organization and thankfully they were… aware enough to know the uniqueness of the situation and allow it to continue to go down that road. So, appreciative of that perspective from them and allowing it to happen.”

Callahan said he and his dad drive to work together every day and added how big it is to have someone with the experience Bill has on the coaching staff.

“It’s been really fun to drive to work with him every day and do those things,” Callahan said. “It’s not something I ever thought would work, truthfully, so to be here with him is a really awesome moment for me, both as a son and as a professional because I know how much he can help us with his knowledge.”

As you’d expect, an interview wasn’t really necessary between father and son. Callahan noted that Bill was very much up for joining him in Nashville.

“There really wasn’t an interview process,” he said. “It was more he made the decision he wanted to come here to Tennessee and we went about trying to make it work.”

On top of being a great offensive line coach, Bill adds an experienced voice in the room and understands what his son is going through thanks to his own years as a head coach, both in college and the pros.

But Callahan says his dad doesn’t overstep his boundaries and knows when to chime in.

“It’s been really normal,” Callahan said. “He’s very understanding of what it means sit in the chair that I sit in every day, having done it himself. He knows when advice is welcome, he knows when he probably should leave me alone. I know when I should leave him alone, on the flip side. But it’s just been really fun for us.”

Callahan then shared a cool moment that happened late at the office one night when they were discussing ideas about a particular topic.

“He came in the office the other day — it was probably about 9 o’clock — and we were kind of finishing some stuff up and I’m sitting there throwing a softball back and forth as we’re talking about some different ideas for something.

“So, just to have that experience has been really cool and he just wants to be able to help me and to help this organization win and that part has been really fun. It’s been a really cool experience for me.”

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Every coach Titans have hired to Brian Callahan’s staff so far

Titans head coach Brian Callahan still has some positions to fill on his coaching staff, but here’s everyone who has been hired thus far.

After firing former head coach Mike Vrabel and hiring new head coach Brian Callahan, the Tennessee Titans have made several changes to the coaching staff.

The Titans are, however, holding on to at least two coaches from Vrabel’s staff.

Per Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky, Tennessee is keeping Chris Harris as defensive run-game coordinator and cornerbacks coach and Justin Outten is being moved from running backs coach and run-game coordinator to tight ends coach, a position he once held with the Green Bay Packers.

As of this writing, the Titans have yet to fill three notable positions, including defensive line coach, outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.

The former positions were held by Terrell Williams and Ryan Crow, but they have since been hired by the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins, respectively.

Tennessee has interviewed Thomas McGaughey for special teams coordinator but he was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

All that said, here’s a look at Callahan’s staff so far.

RB coach Randy Jordan leaves Commanders for Titans

Randy Jordan spent 10 seasons in Washington, and reunites with his mentor in Tennessee.

Randy Jordan has determined, after 10 seasons with the Commanders, he is leaving Washington for Nashville.

Jordan was hired by Jay Gruden to be on Gruden’s first Washington staff for the 2014 season. The former North Carolina Tar Heel running back in that 2014 season was beginning a 10-year era of coaching Washington running backs that would persevere all the way through the 2023 season.

The Tennessee Titans are now Jordan’s new employer. The Titans this offseason moved on from head coach Mike Vrabel and have hired Brian Callahan, son of former Redskins coach Bill Callahan.

The Tennessee Titans have been led by four-time Pro-Bowl running back Derrick Henry. Henry has rushed over a thousand yards in five seasons, including two seasons when the former Crimson Tide back led the NFL in rushing.

In 2019, Henry rushed for 1,540 yards while leading the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns and an NFL-high 102.7 rushing yards per game. The following season, Henry was even better with 2,027 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns and 126.7 rushing yards per game.

In 119 NFL games, Henry has rushed for 9,502 yards and 90 rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards a carry. Henry is now age 30, and is expected by most NFL analysts to be moving on next season. Henry recently expressed he wants to win a Super Bowl and is not ready to retire.

Jordan was himself an NFL running back, playing for the Raiders (1993), Jaguars (1995-97) and once again the Raiders (1998-2002). Following his playing career, he launched his coaching career with the Raiders in 2003. He then moved on to Nebraska (2004-07), Texas A&M (2008-11) and North Carolina (2012-13) before joining Jay Gruden and the Redskins in 2014.

He rejoins Bill Callahan, whom he has a long history with, in Tennessee.

Browns hire Andy Dickerson as Bill Callahan replacement as OL coach

The Browns have their new offensive line coach

The Cleveland Browns now have their new offensive line coach after veteran Bill Callahan left the team to coach with his son in Tennessee. Originally brought in by the Browns last month to interview for the offensive coordinator position Andy Dickerson is joining the team to replace Callahan.

This will be his second sting with the team after serving as a defensive quality control coach in 2009 and the assistant offensive line coach in 2010. Most recently Dickerson spent the past three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks as the offensive run game coordinator in 2021 and the offensive line coach the past two seasons.

Dickerson has plenty of offensive line coaching experience as he was with the Rams as their offensive line o-line coach from 2012-2020. Kevin Stefanski’s new-look offensive coaching staff as they look to evolve and change as an offense around Deshaun Watson hoping to build the team’s success in 2023 and take things to the next level.

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Kevin Stefanski explains why Browns let Bill Callahan leave for Titans

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski explained why the team let Bill Callahan out of his contract to join the Titans.

Before the Tennessee Titans could hire Bill Callahan as their next offensive line coach, the Cleveland Browns had to let him out of his contract since he was making a lateral move.

Ultimately, the Browns decided to do that. On Monday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski explained why.

“Bill Callahan, very unique situation there, to go work for Brian not with Brian — he’s going to go work for Brian,” he said, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “I can’t wait for Brian to boss him around. The dream of every kid is to boss your parents around. So, happy for those guys.

“I think organizationally, we realized that’s a unique situation and did not want to stand in the way of that. So, excited for, certainly, Brian and Bill down there.”

Considering how good of a coach Callahan is, letting him go isn’t an easy thing to do, so classy move by Stefanski and the Browns to do that.

No team in the NFL needed Callahan as badly as the Titans, a team that has had one of the worst offensive lines in the sport for the past three seasons.

If Tennessee can’t get this thing straightened out with Callahan at the helm, there will really be no hope.

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Grade for Titans hiring Bill Callahan as OL coach

The Titans hit a home run with the hiring of offensive line coach Bill Callahan.

When the Tennessee Titans hired Brian Callahan as their head coach, the universal hope was that he would bring his dad, Bill Callahan, with him.

The reason for that is because Callahan is not only one of the most highly-regarded offensive line coaches in the league, he’s one of the most highly-regarded assistants, regardless of position.

So, when news broke that the Titans were bringing in one of the very best in the game, it created no shortage of hype.

The Titans have sported one of the worst offensive lines for the past three years and are now looking at a rebuild of the group upfront after trying to retool it in 2023.

The difference this time is the Titans will have nearly $70 million in cap space, a top-10 pick, and an elite offensive line coach to help their cause.

Tennessee has a slew of young but unproven offensive lineman, led by the only locked-in starter for 2024, left guard Peter Skoronski. Tennessee also figures to have at least one draft pick added to the mix, and the hope is that will be a franchise left tackle like Joe Alt, for example.

Perhaps with the exception of Philadelphia Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who is as highly-respected as Callahan, there is nobody on the planet better suited to get the most out of those players and expedite the rebuild than Callahan.

As if all that wasn’t enough, Callahan’s experience as a head coach (and as a coach in general) will be invaluable to a staff that sports a first-time head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator.

You probably already knew the grade before clicking on this article, but in case you needed reassurance:

Grade: A+

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Peyton Manning talks Titans’ Brian and Bill Callahan, Will Levis, more

Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning shared his thoughts on Titans head coach Brian Callahan, QB Will Levis and much more.

You’ll find few bigger fans of new Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan than Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning.

Callahan and Manning spent four years together with the Denver Broncos, which included a Super Bowl victory in 2015. Callahan served as a quality control coach and offensive assistant during his days in Denver.

Manning praised Callahan before he was even considered for the Titans gig, and he did so once again while attending the Pro Bowl Games this week.

“He’s extremely hard working, he’s smart, he’s grown up around football, he’s tough,” Manning said, per Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. “He’s been in different coaching environments – Denver, Detroit, Cincinnati, the Raiders. So, he’s seen how it works different places, and I’m sure he’s learned some things to do, and maybe what not to do.

“He has earned this opportunity, he’s paid his dues, he’s done the grunt work. He and I used to text at 1 o’clock in the morning, he was over at the complex still, breaking film down and was not leaving any time soon. I appreciated his work ethic during my time in Denver, and that is not going to leave him ever. The Titans are getting a guy who is going to give it everything he has. It looks like he is putting together a good staff, and I’m pulling hard for him.”

Manning also touched on Brian’s dad, Bill, who is set to become the Titans’ next offensive line coach. He also stated that Derrick Henry would love working with both and that he should stay in Tennessee.

“Brian Callahan would love Derrick Henry, and vice versa,” Manning said. “There’s obviously the business side that comes into play, and that’s up for (GM) Ran Carthon and his staff to decide.

“But Brian Callahan appreciates a good running game, his dad is coming over, and his dad is the best line coach in the NFL. I know he appreciates a good back. (Tennessee) would be a great place for Derrick to continue to play, in my opinion.”

Manning revealed that he spoke with Titans general manager Ran Carthon during the head-coach interview process and feels that hiring Callahan will be great for quarterback Will Levis because Callahan, who will be calling the plays, can’t be poached by another team, which creates stability.

“But now you are looking for some continuity in the system, and the good thing about Brian – I know he is calling the plays this year – is it will be the same system the entire time, and that is so critical to a quarterback.

“That’s what I had in my career, Joe Burrow is going to have the same system as long as Zac Taylor is there (in Cincinnati), so that is a real plus for any young quarterback, and Will will benefit from that.

“It’s quarterback friendly, there’s answers on every play, and as a quarterback that is what you are looking for.”

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