NFL Rumors on Kevin Stefanski, Brian Daboll, Titans HC Search Amid Mike McDaniel Buzz

The Tennessee Titans are targeting some of the top head coaching candidates on the market to guide their rebuild.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on Saturday that former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski will have a second interview with the Titans on Sunday, after he meets with the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday for the second time.

The Titans have also been linked to former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Tennessee has already conducted multiple interviews and expressed interest in many of the top available candidates. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported interest in former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh liked "what he sees" in the Titans, before he reportedly agreed to become the head coach of the New York Giants.

On Tuesday, Russini outlined the Titans' targets:

The Titans announced on Jan. 10 that they completed interviews with seven candidates during the first week of their head coaching search: Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Kevin Stefanski.

Daboll, 50, spent parts of four seasons as head coach of the Giants from 2022 to 2025, posting a 20-40-1 record.

In his first season on the job, Daboll led the Giants to a 9-7-1 record, a surprise playoff berth and a playoff win, earning him NFL Coach of the Year honors.

That proved to be the pinnacle of Daboll's Giants tenure, though, as they dropped to 6-11 the following season and 3-14 in 2024. Then, after a 2-8 start this season, Daboll was fired.

While the Giants gave Daboll his first head coaching opportunity, he was a highly respected offensive coach before that, serving as offensive coordinator with several different teams.

Daboll was OC of the Browns from 2009 to 2010, the Dolphins in 2011, the Chiefs in 2012, the University of Alabama in 2017 and the Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2021.

It was in Buffalo where Daboll truly improved his stock, as he helped take quarterback Josh Allen from a flawed rookie to a perennial MVP candidate.

Daboll went on to get the most out of quarterback Daniel Jones in his first season with the Giants, and he played a role in rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart hitting the ground running with the G-Men this season as well.

Given the success Daboll has enjoyed with young quarterbacks over the years, it is understandable why the Titans might have interest in him as their next head coach.

Tennessee used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on quarterback Cam Ward, and he had his fair share of ups and downs during his rookie campaign.

The former University of Miami standout completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 159 yards and two scores, as the Titans finished 3-14.

Ward showed impressive growth down the stretch, and finding the right coach to keep him on track will be key to the Titans' success in 2026 and beyond.

Prior to Ward's final start of the season, which saw him leave early due to a shoulder injury, he threw eight touchdown passes and only one interception over a four-game stretch.

His development would perhaps benefit most from an offensive coach, and Daboll fits the bill in addition to being viewed as something of a quarterback whisperer.

Schultz noted that the Titans were the first team known to be bringing Daboll in for a head coaching interview. Daboll will have a great deal of competition, but even if he doesn't land the head coaching job, he could make sense as the Titans' next offensive coordinator depending on who is selected as head coach.