Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Titans' Cam Ward Wants Player-First Head Coach

Originally posted on Tennessee Titans on SI
By Lane Mills | Last updated Jan 8, 2026 7:00 AM ET

The Tennessee Titans, following their second straight 3-14 season (and, subsequently, second head coaching search cycle in three years) have put most, if not all of their current stock in who is set to take over behind the wheel next.

Due to the immediate, crash-and-burn failure of the Brian Callahan era - which failed to last even two full seasons - as well as the addition of growing franchise quarterback Cam Ward, who Tennessee decides to bring in to call the shots feels more important now than it ever has. The "next man up," if you will, will have the weight of both the Titans' current talent as well as their potential on his shoulders.

It'll be a tall task no matter who gets hired, to say the least. Thankfully for Titans fans, the same front office that hired Callahan won't be alone in making the same decision this time around. The aforementioned Ward, just days into the official search, is already publicly outlining what he and his teammates want from a new leader.

A Player's Coach

"The locker room wants someone who's going to lead us and hold us accountable," Ward said, following up on the previous, earlier declaration that he prefers to be involved in the Titans' search for a new big wig.

Cam Ward on what he wants to see out of the #Titans new head coach:

"The locker room wants someone who's going to lead us and hold us accountable."

"We know the offensive and defensive coaches are always going to put us in the right situation. It's more of we want a player's… pic.twitter.com/xOa2xf2x3w
— SharmSports (@SharmSports) January 6, 2026

"We know the offensive and defensive coaches are always going to put us in the right situation," he continued. "It's more of we want a player's [head] coach."

As much confidence as Ward and the rest of the team (according to him) appear to have in the rest of the staff, the current opening at the top of the coaching chain naturally requires a few extra attributes. Above all else, it seems, the Titans' roster are after a personality that will be with them, rather than above them.

Given the vast number of interviews that Tennessee's front office has already slated within the coming week, it's clear that the importance of this search is understood at the highest level.

Hurry Up and Wait

Now, all Titans fans can do is hurry up and wait on the next bout of franchise-altering news to hit the airwaves. Avoiding a similarly disastrous hire as the last one is, of course, necessary.

But it was last time, too; these things are easier said than done. It can only be hoped that the people holding the pen have learned their lesson,

This article first appeared on Tennessee Titans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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