Falcons Coaching Candidate Hired by Titans Before Atlanta's Second Interview

The Tennessee Titans are working to hire Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their next head coach, taking a candidate off the board for the Atlanta Falcons.

The first domino of the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching search has fallen.

Brian Callahan, previously the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator, is working towards being hired as the next head coach of the Tennessee Titans, according to ESPN.

Callahan interviewed virtually with the Falcons on Jan. 13 and was scheduled to fly to Atlanta later this week for an in-person interview with Falcons decision makers.

Instead, the 39-year-old Callahan didn't get the opportunity to make the trip, agreeing to coach the Titans after an in-person interview Monday.

Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, left, talks with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen (8), right, during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at the practice fields next to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati :: Credit: © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Callahan began his NFL coaching career in 2010, serving as a coaching assistant on Josh McDaniels' staff. He remained in various roles with the Broncos through the 2015 season, also working under John Fox and Gary Kubiak.

He spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons as the Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach for Jim Caldwell. He held the same role for the Oakland Raiders in 2018 on Jon Gruden's staff.

When Zac Taylor got the Bengals coaching job in 2019, he hired Callahan to be his offensive coordinator.

Taylor has an offensive background and calls the plays, but Callahan has been part of developing quarterback Joe Burrow, and was also key in keeping the team afloat in 2023 with Jake Browning under center.

From a big-picture perspective, he's been on a coaching staff that has helped see a team through a rebuild and change the culture in what was a dysfunctional building.

Now, Callahan will attempt to do the same in Tennessee - while Atlanta crosses the first name off its list of potential candidates.

Callahan isn't the first head coach to be hired this offseason - that honor goes to the New England Patriots and Jerod Mayo - but he is the first candidate who's been interviewed by the Falcons to go elsewhere.

Atlanta has a busy week ahead, scheduling interviews with former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, among others.

Falcons Head Coach Search: Who's Atlanta Met With & Who's Next?

There's no timetable for the Falcons to make a decision.