Callahan gives playcalling to Hardegree (QB Coach)

[Grizz]

He was hired because there was hope he would be McVay, LaFleur, etc--the whiz kid with a feel for the game. 

 

The problem he is facing right now is not even embarrassing game management, it is highly visible, avoidable, gaffes that are drawing attention and a team that seems extremely undisciplined. His body language response to the penalties and how he handles himself in the press conference--that alone is bad and is reinforcing the message that he is in over his head. He is not in his first season as coach, and this type of mistake is not something you can carry year to year. 

 

This move gives him every chance to turn things around moving towards the end of the season--I would imagine this is the case because Cam seems to like him. 

[Righteous]

On 9/23/2025 at 12:22 PM, TitanUpNorth said:

I hope you're right, I'm not convinced though, I'm just seeing the same old Titans, new stadium in 2027 that's about it.

Colts WR Pittman said he saw in warm-ups this team wasn't ready to play.

Something is off, we shouldn't be this bad.

 

A new staff is headed our way in 2026.  And we certainly will add more talent, along with Ward’s development.  Get ready for 12 years of great football.

Edited September 25, 2025 by Righteous

[Callidus]

1 minute ago, reo said:

 

he's not optimistic. his only goal is the guy who replaced Vrabel be fired.

It be a joke. 

[Grizz]

Just now, NashvilleNinja said:

 

Upset? No. Frustrated? You bet! You try watching a team you root for go 0-3 in some of the most hapless ways imaginable.

 

Hapless is the word. 

[tgo]

 

I noticed this too - 

 

Fire Randy Jordan, hire Eric Studesville when Miami gets cleaned out. 

[reo]

Just now, Callidus said:

It be a joke. 

 

i know

[IsntLifeFunny]

Just now, NashvilleNinja said:

 

Upset? No. Frustrated? You bet! You try watching a team you root for go 0-3 in some of the most hapless ways imaginable.

Do you have PSLs? 

[oldschool]

Just now, IsntLifeFunny said:

They aren't keeping him. This is essentially a pre-firing. 

 

if the team doesn't turn it around, for sure but I wouldn't be so quick to claim he's done regardless of how the team responds over the next 14 games. Thats his only shot though, they need to win 6 or 7 games and show vast improvement offensively and Callahan specifically in managing the game.

[reo]

1 minute ago, oldschool said:

I like this move and its was obviously 10% forced by Borgonzi and/or Brinker. The fact they bypassed Holz says everything about how they feel about his contributions as OC. They will spin it that they wanted to have someone with experience doing it but that is just window dressing. Now Callahan can focus on being a HC and see if he can turn this around. I'd go so far as to say if Callahan survives the year, Holz and Cally SR will be gone.

 

This is about where i'm at.

 

[OILERMAN]

Just now, oldschool said:

 

if the team doesn't turn it around, for sure but I wouldn't be so quick to claim he's done regardless of how the team responds over the next 14 games. 

 

Now at this point he'll get 0 credit for a turn around. In fact it would be more damning

 

He's 100% done

[reo]

Just now, OILERMAN said:

 

Now at this point he'll get 0 credit for a turn around. In fact it would be more damning

 

He's 100% done

 

If the team gets some wins, he'll definitely get credit but i see where you're coming from.

 

Edited September 23, 2025 by reo

[tgo]

2 minutes ago, oldschool said:

I like this move and its was obviously 10% forced by Borgonzi and/or Brinker. The fact they bypassed Holz says everything about how they feel about his contributions as OC. They will spin it that they wanted to have someone with experience doing it but that is just window dressing. Now Callahan can focus on being a HC and see if he can turn this around. I'd go so far as to say if Callahan survives the year, Holz and Cally SR will be gone.

 

Definitely Holz - but I don't think you can separate Bill Callahan and Brian Callahan - there would be too much bad blood with the org. If you can convince him to be ok with firing his best friend, fine, but you're not going to be able to convince him to fire his dad too and just go along swimmingly. 

[titanruss]

Just now, tgo said:

These are the arguments I can think of for keeping Callahan, IF the team starts winning and he's willing to fire Holz this offseason and promote Hardegree in that scenario: 

 

-Bill Callahan (Not even sure if he's a real net positive yet, the OL will need to massively improve)

-Offensive terminology/continuity for Ward and the other young players on offense

-Keeping Dennard Wilson (he'll need to massively improve to be worth keeping, but he does have real potential as a top notch DC)

-Keeping Bones Fassel 

-Overall coaching and org stability for a young team

 

-In the off chance that Hardegree is wildly successful, Callahan will deserve some credit for hiring and retaining him. 

 

That's a whole lot of what-ifs and when it comes down to it, Borgonzi is going to be the one that is the hardest to convince on keeping him even if everything goes right from here on out (highly unlikely) 

 

 

I'm guessing Holtz would 100% be willing to take a demotion to stick around with his buddies. Hardegree could move to full time OC, Holtz could move to QB. coach / offensive assistant.  

I dont think there's a real scenario where we are so good on offense this season that Bo would get hired as a HC anywhere else. So hopefully we could get him for at least next year if things look better. 

[IsntLifeFunny]

1 minute ago, oldschool said:

 

if the team doesn't turn it around, for sure but I wouldn't be so quick to claim he's done regardless of how the team responds over the next 14 games. Thats his only shot though, they need to win 6 or 7 games and show vast improvement offensively and Callahan specifically in managing the game.

I just don't see it. 

[OILERMAN]

The funny thing is there wasn't an easier situation for Callahan to keep his job. They decision makers were publicly squashing expectations and talking about patience. He basically had a free pass. All he had to do was not be a total disaster and he totally failed at it.