Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't have wanted offensive line coach Bill Callahan to leave unless it was a rare circumstance. Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan is that exception.
Bill Callahan, the Browns offensive coordinator for four seasons on Stefanski's staff, is considered one of the best offensive line teachers and is entering his 45th year of coaching football.
Under his tutelage, 14 offensive linemen have received 32 Pro Bowl selections. During his first season with the Browns in 2020, right tackle Jack Conklin was a first-team All-Pro. Guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller were named to the second team. Bitonio and Teller were named All-Pros again for the 2021 season.
Losing an assistant coach of that caliber is a tough blow to a Browns team coming off a playoff appearance. And Stefanski would've held on to Callahan, if the new Titans coach hadn't called.
“Bill Callahan, very unique situation there, to go work for Brian not with Brian — he’s going to work for Brian," Stefanski said Monday during a press conference. “I can’t wait for Brian to boss him around. The dream of every kid is to boss your parents around. So, happy for those guys."
Stefanski said he's excited to see how the Callahans will work together to retool the Titans offensive line.
“I think organizationally, we realized that’s a unique situation and did not want to stand in the way of that," Stefanski said. "So, excited for certainly Brian and Bill down there.”
Last season, the Titans offense averaged 18 points a game, only five NFL teams scored fewer. One problem was an offensive line that allowed 64 sacks. Quarterbacks Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill each spent time sidelined with injuries.
With the Titans' left-tackle tandem of Andre Dillard and Jaelyn Duncan responsible for 29 of those sacks, every NFL Draft prediction says the Titans will select an offensive lineman with the No. 7 overall pick.
Browns guard Bitonio is a first-hand witness of the elder Callahan's ability to retool an offensive line in the way the Titans need.
“Coach Callahan has been instrumental for us." Bitonio told reporters. "He’s helped develop a bunch of us on the line. We’re thankful for that. He’s one of the hardest workers I know. He puts in the time with us and he’s a big part of the run game and the scheme and protections."
Bitonio also appreciates the novelty of this family reunion — the first time an NFL head coach will have his father as one of his assistants.
"When your son gets hired as the head coach and if your son calls, you might need to take that phone call," Bitonio said. "That’s pretty special stuff.”
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