The Tennessee Titans made their hire of new head coach Brian Callahan official on Thursday with an introductory press conference that also saw general manager Ran Carthon and owner Amy Adams Strunk speak.
One of the biggest things that stood out was the obvious excitement Callahan had for getting the job. He even admitted he felt an “instant connection” with Carthon and Callahan was dead set on taking the job after the first interview. Carthon said the “instant connection” was definitely mutual.
Another one of the things that stood out was the emotion Callahan showed. He had to fight back tears on multiple occasions while talking about being able to live out his lifelong dream of becoming a head coach and when mentioning all the people who helped him along the way.
"There was an instant connection with Ran and I. We see building a team, we see the culture of the building the same." pic.twitter.com/dQVdUJOPBV
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 25, 2024
Once Callahan got to the actual football side of things, he was clear and assertive about his vision and philosophy and stressed the importance of creating a family inside the building.
Successful first pressers for head coaches aren’t always a given, but Callahan nailed his introduction with the Titans and that only adds to the excitement for the future of the franchise.
Now, a look at everything Callahan had to say during his introductory press conference.
Adams Strunk on Callahan
#Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk on Brian Callahan. pic.twitter.com/YzK0ALSGDb
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 25, 2024
Carthon on Callahan
"Hunting at the same time isn't the same as hunting together. Under Brian Callahan we will be hunting together." pic.twitter.com/vQNIftjrmx
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 25, 2024
On connecting with Titans
Brian Callahan: “It felt like a family.” #Titans pic.twitter.com/UzZgupAJgn
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 25, 2024
Brian Callahan says Ran Carthon is a big reason he wanted to be the #Titans head coach so badly.
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) January 25, 2024
Callahan said the #Titans felt "just like the place I was at. … You felt the want to be great."
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 25, 2024
On fulfilling his lifelong dream
#Titans HC Brian Callahan. pic.twitter.com/xKj5FQQKyO
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 25, 2024
On collaboration to build a team
Callahan quoting Liverpool HC as he talks about building a franchise successfully. Did not expect that: pic.twitter.com/RAWsNjURZo
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
On Bengals HC Zac Taylor and others
Brian Callahan fighting tears: “you can see how much these people mean to me” #Titans pic.twitter.com/SUZlRb5wvw
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) January 25, 2024
#Titans HC Brian Callahan thanks his wife, Allyson, and his children, Norah and Ronan. pic.twitter.com/oI25LHPBkO
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 25, 2024
On establishing the culture
Callahan on what he wants to establish here: pic.twitter.com/mQTTUOyg2w
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
“Resilient and relentless” are the two words he wants the #Titans to be known for year in and year out. pic.twitter.com/iBL9He2m9f
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 25, 2024
On what he wants from fans
"We need Nissan Stadium to be the most feared stadium that people walk into on Sunday" pic.twitter.com/mxZJYuBpmf
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 25, 2024
On QB Will Levis
#Titans HC Brian Callahan on @will_levis. pic.twitter.com/syLCWS1e48
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 25, 2024
#Titans HC Callahan: Levis was definitely an attraction to coming here, really thought he saw positive growth from him on tape.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
#Titans HC Brian Callahan: Loves @will_levis' competitive instincts
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 25, 2024
Callahan said that working with young QBs like Joe Burrow and Jake Browning taught him about how to maximize them. Said some of that will translate to coaching Levis.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 25, 2024
On offensive philosophy
Brian Callahan on #Titans’ offensive philosophy. pic.twitter.com/fg8wgwrEAf
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 25, 2024
On what he's learned from QBs
Brian Callahan on what he's learned from the QBs he's worked with and how he wants to bring that to help develop Will Levis for the #Titans. pic.twitter.com/CzCMmWYV54
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 25, 2024
On importance of communication
Callahan says communication key to his success with QBs: pic.twitter.com/12Tg4HWV1I
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
On the defense
Brian Callahan’s defensive philosophy. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/kUgmYADZvn
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 25, 2024
On taking player feedback
#Titans HC Callahan: Player feedback has been a critical part of his growth as a coach.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
Callahan said he won't call a play that his quarterback is not comfortable with. Said there is plenty in the playbook to be able to put them in position to succeed. Said communication is key.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 25, 2024
On his coaching style
#Titans HC Brian Callahan on his teaching style/coaching style. pic.twitter.com/C9VsEnkatN
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 25, 2024
On pass protection
Brian Callahan said protection is an everyone problem not just in the offensive line. pic.twitter.com/a41t6KBrwM
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 25, 2024
On calling plays
Brian Callahan said he will be the play-caller and said it is not a big step for him. Said he feels great about the process.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 25, 2024
“I’m incredibly confident in my ability to do that.”
Callahan on how we will balance being the play caller as well as being over all phases of the game. #Titans pic.twitter.com/46lU3nnJ4w
— Titans Radio (@TitansRadio) January 25, 2024
On his dad, Bill
Callahan on his first conversation with father, Bill Callahan, after getting hired: pic.twitter.com/OpDKweN0Bs
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
Brian Callahan on his father: He's under contract. There's nothing I can say about that.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 25, 2024
On putting together a staff
#Titans HC Callahan: We'll take our time on staff, be patient. Not going to rush … We're going to find great teachers, great communicators, people who coach with energy and passion.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
#Titans HC Callahan: It's all about hiring the right people, people you trust and can do a great job … Staff will likely be mix of veterans been around and younger guys with new ideas.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
On building a winner with Bengals
#Titans HC Callahan: Lot of adversity early years, didn't have the roster to compete with some teams. But saw core of players there, also learned that under adversity, Zac Taylor was a very consistent leader. Felt that as kept building roster, we were going to be a very good tm.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 25, 2024
On working with Peyton Manning in Denver
"The foundation of how [Peyton Manning] went about his business was pretty incredible and I have taken that everywhere I have gone." pic.twitter.com/DWu8dZ4NWe
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 25, 2024
On wide receivers
Callahan talks characteristics his wants with his WR’s. #Titans
“Selfless. You want guys that are big, strong, fast, and can catch the ball. The more of those guys you have the better you’re going to be.” pic.twitter.com/MlF4WIsoXJ
— Titans Radio (@TitansRadio) January 25, 2024
