CINCINNATI — Former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan teared up while thanking the organization during his introductory press conference as the Tennessee Titans head coach.
Callahan had interviewed with multiple teams before the Titans announced on social media Wednesday they had hired him as their next coach. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said after his second interview with the team, "Tennessee (wasn't) letting him out of the building."
#Titans Hire Brian Callahan for Head Coaching Job
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 24, 2024
While introducing himself to Titans media members and fans, Callahan took time to thank those who helped his career in Cincinnati.
"Mike Brown, who is probably one of the greatest men that I've ever met," Callahan said before having to pause, looking overcome with emotion. "I'll get it together in a second, don't worry."
He thanked Katie and Troy Blackburn, their daughters Elizabeth and Caroline, and Duke Tobin and his staff.
"They gave me an incredible opportunity to grow, and they were patient and invested in me and I'll forever be grateful for that," Callahan said.
Then, before thanking head coach Zac Taylor, Callahan began to tear up.
"You can see how much these people mean to me," he said.
Callahan called Taylor a great friend and mentor, as well as "a fantastic football coach." He thanked the rest of the coaching staff and players — with a specific shout-out to the quarterback room.
"Joe Burrow, Jake Browning — those guys, I'm incredibly indebted to," Callahan said.
Callahan, son of former then-Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan, came to Cincinnati in 2019 alongside Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. He was previously the quarterbacks coach for the Raiders and Detroit Lions.
While his first two seasons as OC weren't so easy, Callahan's offense took off in 2021 when quarterback Joe Burrow returned from a torn ACL and MCL. In the two seasons Burrow finished, the Bengals ranked in the top 10 in touchdowns scored, passing yards and completion percentage.
Burrow himself has also spoken highly of Callahan.
He will be replaced by quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher, which Taylor called a "natural progression" during a press conference Thursday. In a statement, Burrow praised Pitcher's promotion, saying their relationship "is as good as it gets."
"I wouldn't be the player I am today without him," Burrow said. "He's been preparing for this for years. He takes his job very seriously and does it with a lot of passion."
Pitcher has been with the Bengals for eight seasons. Before working solely with Cincinnati's quarterbacks, Pitcher helped Bengals receivers including then-rookie Tyler Boyd and Pro Bowler A.J. Green as an offensive assistant.
