NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Brian Callahan’s revised coaching staff is set, and the biggest change is a surprise.
Chris Harris, defensive passing game coordinator/ cornerbacks coach, is out after two seasons though his group was probably the best on the team and showed the most development. Jarvis Brownlee and Darrell Baker were among the brightest spots on the roster with L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie missing significant time.
However, Harris missed a few weeks during the season for personal reasons, with safeties coach Steve Jackson assuming his responsibilities.
Did that somehow contribute to Harris not being retained? We don't know.
It does not appear he’s heading to New England to reconnect with Mike Vrabel, who hired him in 2023. The Jets may be more likely.
Harris’ replacement is Tony Oden (pictured), a 19-year NFL coaching veteran who was with the Jets the last four seasons as senior defensive assistant/ cornerbacks. In 2023, he helped Sauce Gardner attain All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while the franchise ranked second in passing defense.
Of four changes to the Titans staff, no outsiders were added to the offensive side of the ball. This tells us that Callahan and his bosses believe what's in place can work with better personnel.
Oden has also worked with Xavien Howard (Miami), Darius Slay (Detroit), Darrelle Revis (Tampa Bay) and Roman Harper (New Orleans).
Before joining the Jets, he spent one year (2020) in San Francisco as defensive backs/cornerbacks coach. He also coached in Miami (2018-19), Detroit (2014-17), Tampa Bay (2013), Jacksonville (2012), New Orleans (2006-11) and Houston (2004-05). Before starting his coaching career in the college ranks, he played linebacker for four years at Baldwin-Wallace College.
Luke Stocker has been promoted to tight ends coach after Jason Outten was not retained when his contract expired, as was reported last week.
The Titans made official the hiring of John Fassel as special teams coach, widely reported last week, and his assistant Rayna Stewart, which I reported Thursday.
There had been a chance that Colt Anderson, last year’s special teams coordinator, would remain as a positional assistant, but that did not come to fruition and he is also gone. His assistant, Anthony Levine, also will not be back.
Clint McMillan, who was assistant defensive line/pass rush specialist, has left for a job on Vrabel’s staff in New England.