Every head coach change in the NFL creates ripple effects that are felt by other teams around the league, and the Tennessee Titans’ decision is a good example of that. The Titans are hiring Brian Callahan as their next head coach — and that move could hurt the New Orleans Saints’ own personnel plans for 2024.
Callahan previously worked as the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator, and the Bengals have an obvious candidate to replace him already on staff in quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher. The problem for the Saints is that Pitcher is on their list of candidates to interview for their own offensive coordinator opening. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Pitcher already scheduled an in-person interview with the Saints for Thursday after meeting with a few other teams. He’s already spoken with the Saints in an introductory virtual interview per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill.
But that second sit-down interview may never come to pass if Pitcher would rather stay in Cincinnati and take a promotion (or follow Callahan to Tennessee). It’s too soon to say whether that’s actually going to happen. At the same time, it’s a very realistic possibility.
And that’s a tough break for New Orleans. They swung at a couple of high-profile candidates and haven’t yet made contact. Shane Waldron is joining the Chicago Bears. Jerrod Johnson interviewed with the Saints on Monday, but not even getting a chance to speak with Pitcher in person would be disappointing. Hopefully Pitcher sticks to his commitments and gives the Saints a fair shot. We’ll just have to wait and see.
