NASHVILLE – Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan has been selected as a 2024 Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
Callahan and Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo were both announced on Tuesday, and they became the 24th and 25th recipients of the Dr. Z Award, which was instituted by the PFWA in 2014.
The Dr. Z Award is given for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach in the NFL. The award is named for Zimmerman, who covered the NFL for 29 years as Sports Illustrated's lead pro football writer.
The veteran Callahan was hired as offensive line coach with the Titans earlier this offseason.
Callahan has coached 25 seasons in the NFL, and 46 seasons overall. During his time in the NFL, he has spent 22 seasons coaching the offensive line and seven years as offensive coordinator. Callahan has guided 14 offensive linemen to a total of 35 Pro Bowl selections.
Prior to joining the Titans, where he's serving on his son Brian's staff, Callahan spent the previous four seasons (2020-23) with Cleveland as the O-line coach. He also coached with Washington (2015-19), Dallas (2012-14), New York Jets (2008-11), Oakland (1998-2003; including 2002-03 as head coach), and he began his NFL career with Philadelphia (1995-97). He was head coach at Nebraska (2004-07) as part of a 15-season collegiate coaching career, and he also spent two seasons in the high school ranks.
PAUL "DR. Z" ZIMMERMAN AWARD WINNERS (For lifetime achievement as an assistant coach in the NFL): 2014 – Jim Johnson, Howard Mudd, Fritz Shurmur and Ernie Zampese; 2015 – Dick LeBeau, Tom Moore and Dante Scarnecchia; 2016 – Monte Kiffin and Wade Phillips; 2017 – Bud Carson; 2018 – Joe Bugel and Emmitt Thomas; 2019 – Gunther Cunningham and Mike Westhoff; 2020 – Bill Arnsparger and Romeo Crennel; 2021 – Rod Marinelli and Bobby Turner; 2022 – Leslie Frazier and Greg Knapp; 2023 – Don "Wink" Martindale, Bobb McKittrick and John Mitchell; 2024 – Bill Callahan and Steve Spagnuolo
