Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan made a significant adjustment to his coaching staff on Monday afternoon by making a key change to his special teams unit. As reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Callahan dismissed the Titans’ former special teams coordinator, Colt Anderson, who had overseen one of the league’s most underperforming units in 2024. In his place, Callahan brought in John Fassel, a highly respected special teams coach with a proven track record of transforming struggling units into top-tier performances. This move is seen as part of a broader overhaul for the Titans as they aim to strengthen their coaching staff heading into the 2025 season.
Fassel, a veteran coach with years of experience, was most recently on Mike McCarthy’s staff with the Dallas Cowboys, but his contract expired, and he was available for hire. Known for his ability to turn underperforming special teams into highly efficient units, Fassel brings a wealth of experience to the Titans. He first began his coaching career in 2005 as an assistant special teams coach for the Baltimore Ravens before moving on to the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. Fassel’s most successful tenure came during his time with the Los Angeles Rams, where he served as special teams coordinator for seven years. He even briefly stepped in as interim head coach of the Rams, replacing Jeff Fisher, after the team parted ways with the veteran coach.
Over his extensive career, Fassel has coached numerous standout players, including punters Johnny Hekker, Shane Lechler, and Greg Zuerlein, as well as kicker Sebastian Janikowski. He has also worked with dynamic return men like Tavon Austin and current Titans running back Tony Pollard. His ability to cultivate talented players at every position on special teams has earned him widespread acclaim. During his time in Dallas, Fassel’s units showed dramatic improvements, with career-high return yards, punt averages, field goals, and kickoff returns all becoming trademarks of his coaching.
Fassel’s hiring is crucial for the Titans, who struggled in multiple aspects of their special teams in 2024. After the departure of Nick Folk, Tennessee’s special teams were inconsistent. Ryan Stonehouse, the team’s punter, suffered an injury late in the season following a blocked punt, and the Titans allowed an alarming 32.1 yards per kick return. Additionally, their punt returns were ineffective, averaging just 7.4 yards per attempt. The Titans’ special teams performance was so poor that some players, like punt returner Jha’Quan Jackson, were inactive for extended periods.
With Fassel’s expertise, the Titans hope to improve their special teams’ performance, particularly in punting and returns, areas that plagued them in 2024. Additionally, the team faces an uncertain situation with their kicker position, as Folk, who is now a free agent and 41 years old, may not be re-signed. Fassel will likely play a pivotal role in resolving the kicker situation, and the Titans will be looking for options on the free-agent market, with notable names like Joey Slye, Matt Prater, and Michael Badgley available.
The hire has received praise from various corners of the football world. Former Titans offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, who played under Fassel during his time with the Rams, is excited about the move, while former Raiders executive Amy Trask lauded Fassel for his impactful work with the Raiders’ special teams. NFL Network reporter Jane Slater also shared a fun anecdote about Fassel’s quirky approach to coaching special teams. Even Titans defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day has expressed enthusiasm about the hire, highlighting the potential positive impact Fassel can have on Tennessee’s special teams unit.
The addition of Fassel signals the Titans’ commitment to improving a critical area of their team as they prepare for the 2025 season. With his vast experience and history of success, Fassel is expected to bring a much-needed boost to Tennessee’s special teams and help elevate the overall performance of the unit.
