NASHVILLE – Veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan has been reunited with his son, Brian, in Tennessee – and he couldn't be prouder.
"I was overwhelmed that he got the job," Callahan said of his son, who was hired as the team's head coach earlier this offseason. "It is beyond anything that I ever imagined for him. I just remember times when he was a teenager going to training camp when I coached with the Raiders, and he'd be out there throwing with Jerry Rice, and out there with Rich Gannon. I never thought it would come to this junction where he is right now.
"I am incredibly proud of what he's done. Of course, all of my children, I am proud of them. But the steps that Brian has taken to do it on his own – it was his own path, his own journey. It was earned, and he was completely dedicated and driven to do this. I am so proud of him and so excited as well."
Making things even better – the veteran Callahan had an opportunity to join his son in Nashville, and he took it.
"I just felt compelled to help him," Bill Callahan said. "I felt that at this juncture of my career – God willing, how many years do I have left? I just really wanted to help him. I wanted to help the Titans, and help (Brian) succeed. It was really kind of a no-brainer in that regard. It's family, and I want to see him succeed just like any parent wants to see their children succeed. It's rare, it's unique, and so, yeah, I'm fired up about it."
It's been so far, so good, for the coaching veteran, who brings 46 years of coaching experience, including 25 years in the NFL and six as a head coach (two at Oakland and four at the University of Nebraska), to the Titans.
During his time in the NFL, Bill Callahan has spent 22 seasons coaching the offensive line and seven years as offensive coordinator. He has guided 14 offensive linemen to a total of 35 Pro Bowl selections.
Brian Callahan coached previously with the Broncos, Lions, Raiders and Bengals in the NFL. He was Cincinnati's offensive coordinator from 2019-2023 before landing the job in Tennessee.
"It's been a lot of fun, the transition to Nashville, to the Titans," Callahan said in his first media availability on Thursday. "It's interesting. This is a team I felt I know pretty well, in my history. It's great to be here with Brian, my son, this staff Brian has put together. It's exciting, exciting times. Everything has been very positive so far – we haven't played a game yet, we're undefeated."
Bill Callahan, who joined the Titans after four seasons (2020-23) as the offensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns, on Thursday tackled a number of topics, including how he'll help first-round pick JC Latham make the transition from right tackle to left tackle in the NFL.
Callahan also discussed candidates on the right side of the offensive line, and the competitions he's looking forward to seeing across the board. He talked about the veterans who've joined the team, and the rookies headed to town.
Callahan, head coach at the University of Nebraska from 2004-07 who spent six seasons (1998-03) with the Oakland Raiders, including his final two seasons as head coach, said he's started the process of getting his players adjusted to new teaching, new techniques, and a certain style of play.
"First off, the physicality is non-negotiable," Callahan said. "And I think that's already in their DNA here (in Tennessee). I've always felt that. The physicality of their play is always important, and that's kind of in the DNA, as I mentioned. So that part of playing hard, playing with tempo, being physical, has always been there for these kids.
"It's just a matter of tweaking techniques, giving them a couple of different tools in terms if schemes, hands, things of that nature, just to try and build them up, build them a different toolbox."
