Saleh’s Second Act: Titans’ New Coach Eyes Speed & Violence

Saleh’s Second Act: Titans’ New Coach Eyes Speed & Violence

Robert Saleh is back in the NFL’s head coaching hot seat, this time with the Tennessee Titans. After a challenging tenure with the New York Jets, Saleh is looking to leverage his experiences and recalibrate his perspective in Music City. Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Saleh, alongside Titans General Manager Ran Carthon, detailed his journey back to being a head coach, his vision for the Titans, and the exciting potential of quarterback Will Levis.

From Jets’ Pressure Cooker to Titans’ New Beginning

Saleh’s return to a head coaching role comes after a stint as Defensive Coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. He described this period as a crucial recalibration. “It was more about going back to a place that I recognized as a championship organization after being a head coach,” Saleh explained. “I felt like it would help me just kind of recalibrate, maybe see something that I may have missed the first time around as a DC. Having the empathy of Kyle [Shanahan] and the chair that he’s in, understanding the decisions he’s making, to help me piece the puzzle a little bit better together.” This experience, he believes, has prepared him to “bring more to the table” in Tennessee.

Reflecting on his time with the Jets, Saleh acknowledged the unique pressures of the role, especially in a city like New York. “There’s no handbook to the first time that you ever do anything,” he stated. “I’m sure your first episode is not nearly as good as it is now.” He expressed gratitude for the learning experience, despite the difficulties. “There’s a lot of things that happened throughout the tenure that there is no prep, there’s no preparing for them. But I could say that I’m very confident in saying that I’m more prepared now than I ever was and excited to take what I learned in New York and apply it to this new opportunity.”

Building the Titans: Speed, Violence, and Will Levis

General Manager Ran Carthon echoed Saleh’s readiness, highlighting the qualities that made him the ideal candidate. “We need a leader in here, a guy that can just take command of this place, that has a presence, that has a football mind,” Carthon said. “The more that we did our research and when we finally brought Robert in here, he was exactly what we were looking for.”

A key focus for the new regime is the development of quarterback Will Levis. Carthon expressed significant optimism about Levis’s potential. “You can see the physical traits and the throws that he makes,” he noted. “The dude is wired right. He is a competitor. He loves football. Just loves everything about it. He doesn’t have any other hobbies. He’s in the office all the time watching tape.” Carthon also praised the addition of Brian Callahan as Offensive Coordinator, believing the pairing will be “perfect” for Levis.

Saleh’s coaching philosophy for the Titans is clear and concise: speed and violence. “When people are watching and they can’t hear anything and you’ve got an opponent watching your tape in a dark room by himself with no sound, what are you telling them? We want that thing to scream speed and violence,” Saleh declared. He emphasized that this style of play is not just about individual talent but about the team’s collective approach to the game.

Culture, Talent, and the Future

The Titans are entering a new era with significant resources, including nearly $100 million in cap space and a new stadium on the horizon. Carthon stressed the importance of building through the draft while also being active in free agency. “You have to have discipline to your process, too. You’re still trying to build a team and a locker room and a culture, and you do that through the draft,” he explained. “But really, through the draft is really how you have to build that foundation initially.”

Saleh also spoke about connecting with key players, including defensive standout Jeffery Simmons. “Jeffery is as good as anybody in football, and we’re looking forward to doing everything we can to help him find another level,” Saleh stated. “I feel like our system is tailor-made for his skill set.” The goal is to surround Simmons with talent that can create favorable matchups, allowing him to excel.

The transition to Nashville marks a new chapter for Saleh and his family, including his wife and eight children. Despite never having lived in Nashville before, he and his family are excited about the move. “My wife, my kids are all excited. They’re chomping at the bit to get down there,” he shared.

As the Titans prepare for the upcoming season, the message is clear: embrace speed, play with violence, and build a winning culture from the ground up. With new leadership, a promising young quarterback, and ample resources, Tennessee is poised for a significant turnaround.

Source: Robert Saleh Talks Leaving The Jets & His Career Resurrection With The Titans | Pat McAfee Show (YouTube)