Titans' New Coaching Staff Shares Unique First-Win Oddity

Saleh, Daboll, and Bradley all earned their first NFL head coaching victories against the Titans

Feb. 5, 2026 at 3:31am

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The Tennessee Titans' new coaching staff of Robert Saleh, Brian Daboll, and Gus Bradley share an interesting connection - they all earned their first NFL head coaching victories against the Titans. Saleh's Jets beat the Titans in 2021, Daboll's Giants won against the Titans in 2022, and Bradley's Jaguars defeated the Titans in 2013. This ironic coincidence has led some to believe the trio was destined to end up in Nashville.

Why it matters

The shared experience of defeating the Titans in their inaugural games as head coaches creates an intriguing link between Saleh, Daboll, and Bradley as they aim to turn around the Titans' fortunes. This quirky bit of history adds an extra layer of intrigue to the new coaching staff's arrival in Tennessee.

The details

During the offseason coaching carousel, the Titans hired Robert Saleh as their new head coach, bringing in Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator and Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator. While Saleh's connections to Daboll were well-documented, the three coaches share a unique bond - they each earned their first NFL head coaching victories against the Titans organization.

  • In 2021, Saleh's Jets defeated the Titans in Week 4 for his first win as a head coach.
  • In 2022, Daboll's Giants beat the Titans in Week 1 for his inaugural victory.
  • In 2013, Bradley's Jaguars took down the Titans in Week 10 for his first head coaching triumph.

The players

Robert Saleh

The new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, previously served as the head coach of the New York Jets and defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

Brian Daboll

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

Gus Bradley

The new defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, previously served as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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What’s next

The Titans' new coaching staff will look to continue the trend of defeating their former teams, with the hope that their first victory together comes in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

The shared experience of defeating the Titans as first-time head coaches creates an intriguing bond between Saleh, Daboll, and Bradley as they aim to turn around the fortunes of the Tennessee franchise. This quirky bit of history adds an extra layer of intrigue to the new coaching staff's arrival in Nashville.