New Titans Coach Robert Saleh Eager to Prove Himself After Jets Stint

Saleh believes Tennessee is the best fit to showcase what he's learned from his previous head coaching experience.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:31pm

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Robert Saleh, the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, is eager to show what he's learned since his time leading the New York Jets. Saleh, who enjoyed success as a defensive coordinator but struggled in his first stint as an NFL head coach, believes the Titans were the best fit for him among the 10 teams looking for a coach this cycle. He's confident he's more prepared now than ever before, having gone through the challenges of being a first-time head coach with the Jets.

Why it matters

Saleh's hiring is seen as a crucial move for the Titans, who have finished 3-14 in each of the past two seasons and are looking to turn around the franchise. The Titans believe Saleh can build a winning culture and hold players accountable, which was identified as a need by All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons late in the season.

The details

Saleh was introduced as the 20th head coach in Titans franchise history on Thursday. He said there's no handbook for being a first-time head coach, but he learned a lot from his experience with the Jets, where he went 20-36 before being fired five games into the 2024 season. The Titans are banking on Saleh's ability to turn the team around, and he's hired former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator to help develop 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.

  • Saleh was introduced as the new Titans head coach on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
  • Saleh went 20-36 as head coach of the Jets before being fired five games into the 2024 season.

The players

Robert Saleh

The new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, who previously served as the head coach of the New York Jets.

Jeffery Simmons

The All-Pro defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans who said the team needed to find a leader who could change the culture of the organization and hold players accountable.

Mike Borgonzi

The general manager of the Tennessee Titans, who said the team was looking for a leader with high character, integrity, and humility, as well as a high football IQ and great teaching skills.

Cam Ward

The Tennessee Titans' quarterback, who was the 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick.

Brian Daboll

The new offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, who previously served as the head coach of the New York Giants.

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What they’re saying

“There's no handbook to a first time at anything you do, you know? ... The proper question would be, what didn't I learn? I can sit here and talk to you for the next four hours about all those different things. But I can assure you that there was tremendous growth, through the opportunities that I had with the Jets and, through that growth, I think I'm more prepared now than I've ever been.”

— Robert Saleh, Head Coach

“Ultimately what we wanted was a leader for this football team that could build a winning culture and connect the entire building. We were looking for a leader with high character, integrity and humility, a leader with a high football IQ and great teaching skills.”

— Mike Borgonzi, General Manager

“You know, the second you walk into this building, there's going to be a standard. I'll say it a million times that the objective of life is to go to bed better than when you woke up. And if you don't have that intent, if you don't have that mindset, you're doing yourself a disservice. Or doing your teammates a disservice.”

— Robert Saleh, Head Coach

What’s next

Saleh and the Titans will look to quickly implement his vision and standards for the team, with the goal of turning around the franchise's recent struggles and returning to the playoffs.

The takeaway

Saleh's hiring represents a fresh start for the Titans, who are banking on his ability to build a winning culture and develop their young quarterback Cam Ward after his struggles as a first-time head coach with the Jets. The Titans are hopeful Saleh has learned from his past experiences and can bring the leadership and accountability they believe is needed to get the team back on track.