Report: Callahan May Keep Shane Bowen as Titans’ Defensive Coordinator

Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan wants the kind of defense that gave him fits as an offensive coordinator. Shane Bowen's Titans defenses stifled the high-scoring Bengals in the past three meetings. Bowen has interviewed for openings with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan reportedly may retain defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. According to Paul Kuharsky, the Titans will keep Bowen in-house while interviewing other candidates. 

Dennard Wilson, who coaches defensive backs with the Baltimore Ravens is the only other known defensive coordinator candidate.

Tennessee's defense under Bowen was 18th in the NFL in total defense (335.1 yards/game), 13th against the run (107.7 yards/game), 18th against the pass (227.4 yards/game), and last in interception percentage. While those numbers are average, the Titans excelled in some situational areas. 

Bowen's defense was first in red zone (37.7 percent) and goal-to-go (42.86 percent).

Callahan, who was Bengals offensive coordinator for five seasons before taking the Titans job, has faced Bowen's defenses three times since 2021. The high-scoring Bengals offenses managed only 14 points per game, including a 27-3 beatdown last season. 

Callahan dropped a hint in his introductory press conference that could shed light on why he might keep Bowen.

"I know the hard defenses to game-plan against, and those are the things that I'm looking for in the style of defense we're going to play," Callahan said. "Without getting too far down a bunch of characteristics that don't mean much until we put the pads on ... that's what I look for is what makes it hard for me as an offensive coach. That's the style of defense that I'm looking for."

Related Titans Stories

• TITANS' SENIOR BOWL PLANS: Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan and executive vice president/general manager Ran Carthon will stay in Nashville and focus on interviewing assistant coaching candidates. President of Football Operations Chad Brinker and assistant general manager Anthony Robinson will attend the Senior Bowl with scouting staff. CLICK HERE
• CALLAHAN COACHING STRATEGY: Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan, who has collaborated with such NFL quarterbacks as Joe Burrow and Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, says "all you really care about is, how well can you teach and articulate to the players what they need to do?" CLICK HERE
• CALLAHAN'S FIRST DAY IN PHOTOS: Brian Callahan had an emotional Thursday during a press conference introducing him as the Tennessee Titans' new coach. Here are some of the best photos from Callahan's first day on the job. CLICK HERE
• TITANS TO INTERVIEW STUDESVILLE FOR OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOB: New Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is wasting no time in assembling his coaching staff. Eric Studesville, Miami Dolphins associate head coach/running back coach, is reportedly set to interview for the Titans offensive coordinator position. CLICK HERE