Tag: Chris Harris

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.

Titans keeping 2 coaches from Mike Vrabel’s staff

The Titans are reportedly keeping two coaches from former head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff.

The Tennessee Titans are reportedly keeping at least two assistant coaches from former head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff.

According to Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky, Tennessee is retaining Chris Harris and Justin Outten. Kuharsky notes that Harris will stay in his role as cornerbacks coach and defensive pass-game coordinator and Outten will go from running backs coach and run-game coordinator to tight ends coach.

Outten has coached tight ends before after serving in the role with the Green Bay Packers from 2019-2021.

In addition, Kuharsky’s report revealed that newly-hired coach Steve Jackson will be in charge of the safeties.

Taking Outten’s place is former Washington Commanders running backs coach Randy Jordan, who was reportedly hired by the team on Saturday.

As of this writing, the most notable positions on the coaching staff left to fill are outside linebackers coach, defensive line coach and special teams coordinator.

We haven’t seen any reports of the Titans interviewing candidates for the former two positions. Tennessee did reportedly interview former New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, who has since been hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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T.J. Ward and Chris Harris don’t like the Pro Bowl’s new format

T.J. Ward tweeted that the Pro Bowl has been ruined, and Chris Harris tweeted that it’s a joke now. Do you agree?

The Pro Bowl used to be an all-star game featuring the NFL’s best players competing in a fun environment in Hawaii. Over time, the “tackle” football game morphed into a wrap-up game as players (understandably) wanted to avoid injuries in a meaningless Pro Bowl.

With little to no tackling happening in recent “tackle” editions of the Pro Bowl, the NFL decided to switch to a flag football format in 2023.

The new flag game has been met with mixed reviews. Some fans and pundits would rather see players pulling a flag than “tackling” by gently putting their arms around an opponent. Others think the Pro Bowl has regressed even further.

“They really ruined the pro bowl,” former Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward tweeted on Sunday. “We use to actually see the best on best compete. What a treat that was. SMH.”

Former cornerback Chris Harris agreed with Ward’s assessment.

Ward made three Pro Bowls during his career. Harris made four. They were key members of Denver’s famous “No Fly Zone” secondary that helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 in 2015.

Ward and Harris are not alone in their disapproval of the Pro Bowl.

Bears to interview Titans CB coach Chris Harris for DC position

Titans cornerbacks coach and former Bears safety Chris Harris will reportedly interview for Chicago’s defensive coordinator position.

Much has been made about the Chicago Bears and their search for an offensive coordinator this offseason, but they’re still in the market for a defensive coordinator as well and look to be targeting an old friend for the job.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bears are interviewing Tennessee Titans pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Chris Harris for their defensive coordinator position. Harris played for the Bears from 2005–2006 and 2010–2011 before getting into coaching.

Harris was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft and became a quality starting safety. He played a key role on the Bears’ stout defense and helped them get to Super Bowl XLI. After being traded to the Carolina Panthers, Harris returned in 2010 and 2011. He totaled 16 interceptions throughout his career, 10 of which came when he was with the Bears.

After his playing days, Harris turned to coaching and was on Marc Trestman’s staff as a defensive quality control coach from 2013–2014. He then spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers as an assistant defensive backs coach (2016–2019) and the Washington Commanders as their defensive backs coach (2020–2022). Harris interviewed for a job on the Bears staff last year before ultimately joining the Titans.

With Harris coaching the Titans defensive backs, Tennessee was middle of the road when it came to pass defense. They were 18th in passing yards allowed per game (227.4), but had the fewest interceptions (6) and pass breakups (55) in the league last year.

Still, Harris has been a rising coach for the last few years and would be a good fit for the Bears. With Matt Eberflus likely holding onto playcalling responsibilities, Harris could continue to grow into the role and help develop Chicago’s young defensive unit, especially their secondary, with his former position coach Jon Hoke.

Harris is the first publicly known candidate for the role and likely won’t be the last.

Former Panthers DB Chris Harris reportedly interviewing for Bears’ DC job

Former Panthers DB Chris Harris is set to interview for the Bears’ DC job.

A former Carolina Panthers safety has garnered some more attention for another big opening.

Per NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Chris Harris is expected to interview with the Chicago Bears for their defensive coordinator job. He has also interviewed for the same position with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Little Rock, Ark. native was selected by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft. After two seasons in Chicago, where he notched five interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries over 25 games, Harris was traded to the Panthers for a fifth-round pick in the summer of 2007.

During his three campaigns in Carolina, he amassed 227 combined tackles, five interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries over 44 games.

Harris began his NFL coaching career in 2013 as a defensive quality control coach in Chicago. He’s also picked up stints as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Los Angeles Chargers (2016 to 2019) and the defensive backs coach for Ron Rivera’s Washington Commanders (2020 to 2022).

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Titans’ Chris Harris to interview for Bears defensive coordinator job

Titans coach Chris Harris is a candidate for the Bears’ defensive coordinator job.

Tennessee Titans defensive pass-game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Chris Harris has another interview for a defensive coordinator vacancy.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Harris is scheduled to interview for the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator job. The exact date of the interview was not revealed, though.

Harris is now a candidate for two defensive coordinator jobs, with the other being the Jacksonville Jaguars’ after he interviewed for the role last week.

Harris served as the defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders from 2020 to 2022, and in that time the team ranked eighth in pass defense and fourth in total defense, which cemented Harris as a rising star in the coaching ranks.

The Titans hired Harris in 2023 knowing full well a defensive coordinator job was likely in his future. That may come to fruition after just one season.

Unfortunately for Tennessee, the secondary didn’t have anywhere near the kind of success Washington’s did under Harris, but a lack of talent was a major reason for that.

A positive to come out of his first season in Nashville was Roger McCreary making a successful transition to the slot. The Auburn product was ranked as the No. 19 cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

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Chris Harris still can’t believe the Broncos passed on Josh Allen in 2018

The Broncos drafted Bradley Chubb over Josh Allen in 2018, a move that Chris Harris still doesn’t understand.

After moving on from Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch in 2017, the Denver Broncos went into the 2018 offseason in search of a quarterback.

Then-general manager/executive VP of football operations John Elway signed Case Keenum during free agency in March. One month later, the Broncos held the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

After signing Keenum, Denver passed on Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen at No. 5 to instead select NC State edge defender Bradley Chubb. Allen went off the board two picks later to the Buffalo Bills.

Chubb, a two-time Pro Bowler, totaled 26 sacks in four and a half seasons with the Broncos before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2022. Allen, also a two-time Pro Bowler, has helped the Bills reach the playoffs in each of the last five seasons.

In hindsight, passing on Allen was a terrible decision by the Broncos, one that former cornerback Chris Harris still can’t believe.

“That Josh Allen pass up still hurting the broncos,” Harris tweeted earlier this week. “When we had Shaq Barrett and Von lol.”

One year after Denver drafted Chubb, the team let Shaq Barrett walk in free agency. He went on to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 and he totaled 19.5 sacks in his first season. Barrett has recorded 45 sacks over the last five seasons with the Bucs.

Harris certainly isn’t alone in his bewilderment, although some Broncos fans think Allen would not have developed into the QB he is today had he landed in Denver.

Every coach reportedly connected to Jaguars’ defensive coordinator job

The Jaguars are on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator after firing Mike Caldwell earlier in January.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the hunt for a new person behind the wheel of their defense. After allowing at least 28 points in four of their last six games during a disastrous tailspin that ended their 2023 season, the team fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell.

While the team wasted no time lining up interviews, it’s also possible the Jaguars’ search for someone to fill the vacancy could take some time. As head coaching positions fill up, some of the high profile coaches who missed out on those jobs could be prime candidates to join Doug Pederson’s staff.

For now, there’s still a handful of names who have already emerged as potential defensive coordinator choices for the Jaguars.

Here’s a running list of every coach who has reportedly received interest from Jacksonville in the search for Caldwell’s replacement:

Titans CBs coach Chris Harris to interview for Jags’ DC job Tuesday

The Jaguars will reportedly interview Titans CBs coach Chris Harris for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

Tennessee Titans cornerbacks coach Chris Harris reportedly has an interview set with one of the team’s division rival for their defensive coordinator job.

According to MMQB’s Albert Breer, Harris will talk to the Jacksonville Jaguars about their vacancy on Tuesday.

Harris was hired by the Titans in 2023 to serve as the defensive pass-game coordinator, also. At the time, he was considered a rising star in the coaching ranks, so interest in him as a defensive coordinator isn’t a surprise.

While Tennessee’s secondary didn’t play well overall, the team did see a solid showing from free agent Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Roger McCreary shined in his first season playing in the slot.

Harris isn’t the only Titans coach set to get a look from the Jags. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is reportedly set to interview for Jacksonville’s vacancy at some point this week. He’s also slated to talk to the New York Giants for their defensive coordinator job.

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Former Panthers DB Chris Harris reportedly interviewing for Jaguars’ DC job

Former Panthers safety Chris Harris is reportedly set to interview for the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator position.

Earlier this week, the Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly requested an interview with Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for the same position. But they were denied.

So, they went after a former Panthers defensive back instead.

As first reported by FOX Sports’ Ben Arthur on Friday, the Jaguars are set to interview ex-safety Chris Harris for their defensive coordinator job. Harris is currently the defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach for the Tennessee Titans.

The Little Rock, Ark. native spent three of his eight NFL seasons in Carolina. There, from 2007 to 2009, he amassed 227 combined tackles, five interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries over 44 games.

Harris began his NFL coaching career in 2013 as a defensive quality control coach with the Chicago Bears, whom he was drafted by in 2005. He’s also picked up stints as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Los Angeles Chargers (2016 to 2019) and the defensive backs coach for Ron Rivera’s Washington Commanders (2020 to 2022).

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