Week of October 17th
Callahan Gone, Vols vs Bama, and Vol Hoops vs Duke
The Tennessee Titans finally made the call to fire head coach Brian Callahan this week, and honestly, it was way overdue.
Callahan took the reins in January 2024 after a stint as the Bengals’ “offensive coordinator.” I put offensive coordinator in parentheses as BC did not call plays in Cincinnati. That responsibility was with Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor.
It was a head-scratching hire (there have been a lot of those recently in Nashville) as he was brought in to resurrect a declining franchise and develop young quarterback talent. The results were pretty much as expected. After a 3-14 campaign in 2024 and an abysmal 1-5 start to 2025, the Titans’ organization decided it was time for a change.
Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker and General Manager Mike Borgonzi addressed the media, “We are not seeing enough growth from this football team,” Brinker stated. “We are all frustrated. We know the fans are frustrated. We are doing everything we can to build a football program that you can be proud of.” The sentiment was echoed in the official team statement, which highlighted that the players, fans, and broader Tennessee community deserve a football team that meets a higher standard and that sufficient progress had not been demonstrated.
Callahan’s tenure lasted just 23 games, ending with a tough 4-19 record. The offense never found its rhythm and were plagued by mediocre quarterback play and an offense that ranked at or near the bottom of the league in yards and points per game. Hopes for a turnaround with 2025’s No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, were dashed as the rookie struggled behind a porous offensive line, and the Titans found themselves with the worst offense in the NFL through six weeks, managing just 13.8 points per game.
The move to fire Callahan was necessary. Titans’ controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk was reportedly heavily involved in the discussions. “Amy has entrusted me to make tough decisions in this organization,” Brinker said, “and after meeting with her … we just felt this was the right time to make a change.”
With Callahan departing, the Titans announced Mike McCoy as their interim head coach. McCoy is a well-traveled veteran, having served as an assistant and head coach for several NFL teams, including the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers. He joined the Titans as a senior offensive assistant in March 2025, and now has the challenging task of salvaging the season and developing young talent under the glaring spotlight of struggling results. “We have full confidence in Mike that he’s going to be able to steer the ship here,” Borgonzi told reporters. The goal now, everyone in the organization agrees, is to rally around McCoy and see if a new voice in the locker room can turn things around with 11 games to play, including an immediate focus on their next Sunday matchup with the Patriots.
Yes, the Patriots’ head coach is former Titans coach Mike Vrabel. If you read between the lines, it is obvious that Titans majority owner Amy Adams Strunk did not want to give Vrabel the opportunity to come to Nashville to put a beat down on his replacement in Brian Callahan.
Vrabel was asked about the firing of Callahan this week. “I don’t want to see anyone who shares a job with you get let go. That’s a tough feeling with family and school, whether it’s college or pro,” Vrabel said. “Nobody texts you when you lose; they all text when you win. That’s a good reminder.”
While a broader coaching search will certainly commence, the Titans’ leadership say they are focused on giving McCoy every chance to lead and “pour everything we can into Mike McCoy and give him every opportunity from here on out.”
Titans ownership has made a series of head-scratching decisions over the past several years. Former GM Jon Robinson was let go in December of 2022 after several dismal drafts and roster mismanagement. He was replaced by Ran Carthon in early 2023. Just a year later, head coach Mike Vrabel was let go in January of 2024. Brian Callahan was then hired as head coach. After a poor 2024 season, GM Ran Carthon was fired in January 2025 with the subsequent hiring of new GM Mike Borgonzi. Now we have the firing of Brian Callahan.
Since Jon Robinson’s firing, the Titans have made eight major hirings & firings involving their head coach and front office. Owner Amy Adams Strunk has overseen and initiated much of this reshuffling.
Now the Titans will roll the dice again for a new head coach. But some people are now asking, “shouldn’t there be some changes of the person who has overseen these disastrous few years?” Only time will tell on that one, but for now, lets hope the Titans can make one good hire after a string of abysmal ones.
Vols & Tide Square off in Tuscaloosa
It’s that time again. The Third Saturday in October. Alabama vs Tennessee remains one of the SEC’s greatest rivalries that sort of flies under the radar. This is most likely attributed to the rivalry having a series of streaks by each team. It’s like a pendulum that swung back & forth as Alabama won 15 straight against the Vols from 07-21. Prior to that, Tennessee had won 10 of the last 12, including seven in a row from 95-01.
However, it seems like we are now back to this game being a coin flip each year. Tennessee is ranked #11. Alabama is ranked #6. Look for quite the showdown in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night.
For the Vols, the offense has been the story of the season. Tennessee leads the nation in points per game at 48.2. It’s a remarkable feat considering the offseason uncertainty after Nico Iamaleava’s departure and the late arrival of Joey Aguilar. Aguilar has not only stabilized the quarterback position, but somehow elevated it; the Vols are producing big plays at a torrid pace and are a missed FG away from being 6-0.
The real surprise is just how dynamic Tennessee’s passing attack has become. Aguilar’s deep-ball ability and quick assimilation to Heupel’s system, combined with the emergence of Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews, and Braylon Staley as bona fide threats, have transformed what many thought would be a “rebuilding year” into what seems like a remake of the 2022 offense. Don’t forget that Heupel also likes to run the ball, and his teams always seem to do it well. The Vols average 210 YPG on the ground.
But as good as the offense has been, the defense has taken a worrying step backward. Last year’s unit was a strength, essentially dragging Tennessee’s offense to the playoffs single-handedly. But this fall with key injuries to Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson and inconsistent safety play, Tennessee has struggled, ranking last in the SEC in pass defense.
It’s not just the back-end of the defense that has struggled. The Vols have allowed some big games for opposing running backs, ranking 10th in the SEC in rush defense with 136 YPG allowed. On paper, this looks like Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is poised for a huge day as he has been very effective both through the air and on the ground.
Strangely enough, Tennessee’s defense leads the nation in sacks and forced fumbles, are second in fumble recoveries and defensive touchdowns, and rank fifth in tackles for loss. The Vols have been aggressive & opportunistic on defense. Sometimes causing havoc, but also sometimes getting burned. It’s a strange mix: elite in splash plays, but unreliable when it comes to limiting yardage and points. If Tennessee can force a crucial turnover or two, or get to Simpson just enough, it could swing the momentum.
Given these trends, expect a shootout. Alabama will be eager to exploit the Vols’ defensive weaknesses, and Simpson has the weapons and efficiency to do just that. For Tennessee to pull off the upset, they’ll need to keep their offensive pedal to the floor. Don’t be surprised if this game is decided by whichever team reaches 40 or 45 points first. If the Vols can keep scoring the way they have, and perhaps capitalize on one or two defensive splash plays, they’ll have a real shot. But the margin for error is thin.
Tennessee hasn’t beaten the Tide in Tuscaloosa since 2003. If they want to snap a multi-decade streak, they will need their defense to make multiple big plays.
Tennessee Basketball Takes on Duke in Exhibition Game
Tennessee basketball fans have plenty of reasons for excitement as the Vols prepare for their much-anticipated exhibition against Duke on October 26th. The Vols & Blue Devils are scheduled for a 7 p.m. Eastern Time start at Food City Center in Knoxville. Tickets for the game sold out within minutes of going on sale for the general public on August 15th.
This is a matchup with legitimate national intrigue given both teams’ high preseason expectations. Tennessee and Duke have split their all-time series 8-8, with the Vols taking a memorable 65-52 win the last time they met in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Rick Barnes enters his 11th year at the helm with one of the most versatile squads in the country. Ranked No. 23 in ESPN’s early Top 25 and projected between No. 18–26 by analytics outlets, this Tennessee roster is a fascinating blend of seasoned veterans and top-tier newcomers. Season tickets are sold out for a third straight year and the program continues its streak of record-setting attendance.
And there is reason for optimism. Tennessee finished with a top-10 recruiting class, highlighted by five-star wing Nate Ament, the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation. Ament’s buzz around the program is tangible. He’s already being discussed as a possible National Player of the Year candidate. If he can provide consistent scoring on the wing, Tennessee’s offense may reach new heights.
Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie steps in at point guard after leading the Terps to a Sweet 16 appearance. Gillespie was considered one of the top transfer players in the country, and he is a point guard that can both facilitate and score. He averaged 14.7 ppg and 4.8 apg last season at Maryland. He’s flanked by Amaree Abram, a scoring guard from Louisiana Tech, high school Top 100 shooting guard Amari Evans, plus steady options like Troy Henderson and international standout Clarence Massamba. Barnes isn’t worried about his ball-handling depth. With four or five viable choices behind Gillespie, the Vols’ backcourt is one of the deepest he’s had.
The front court features some elite rim protection with returner Felix Okpara (7.1 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.7 blk), a veteran big who anchors Tennessee’s always-stout defense. Okpara is joined by Jaylen Carey, a physical forward who arrived via Vanderbilt, versatile scorer J.P. Estrella, and veteran junior Cade Phillips. Estrella is currently nursing an ankle injury and Phillips’ shoulder will be monitored, but neither is expected to be a long-term concern.
Among the nine new faces are international recruit Ethan Burg, fresh off the FIBA Eurobasket finals. While he may not be the most explosive athlete, Burg’s maturity and exposure to high-level competition should help him acclimate quickly, and there’s a positive feeling around the program he’ll carve out a meaningful role as the season unfolds.
Barnes’ squad has the tools to play elite defense and contend with anyone in the country. The Vols have advanced to the Elite Eight in consecutive years and, with Ament’s arrival and the integration of quality transfers, it wouldn’t be shocking if they break through for the program’s first-ever Final Four.
The Vols open regular-season play against Mercer, and have a non-conference slate featuring Houston, Louisville, Illinois, and Syracuse. All eyes, however, are on this exhibition with Duke. This game offers a huge early test, both for Tennessee’s new faces and returning leaders, against a Duke squad perennially among college basketball’s best.
With star power, depth, and multiple veterans, expectations are for this Tennessee team to be a top contender in the SEC and nationally.