When you’re an NFL head coach, you’re in charge of a lot of things.
Brian Callahan, the first-year head coach of the Tennessee Titans, is now overseeing aspects he didn’t have to think about before as an assistant. He’s managing practice schedules, strength training and his staff — which happens to include his father, Bill Callahan, as offensive line coach.
“It’s a dream come true,” Bill told NBC News. “We’re proud of Brian, as we are of all of our children, but this is really a unique and a rare situation that we’re in right now.”
Bill has spent decades coaching college and pro teams in different capacities. He was head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2002 to 2003 and the University of Nebraska from 2004 to 2007. He has also coached NFL offensive lines for 22 seasons and was an offensive coordinator for seven years.
He most recently oversaw the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line from 2020 to 2023, but this season marks the first time he and his son have been on the same staff. Bill always stressed the importance of Brian’s forging his own path.
“He was very adamant about me making my own way in the profession and not relying on him to get a job or kick-start my career,” Brian said.
The tables turned, however, in January. The Titans offered Brian, who had spent four successful seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, the head coaching role, and one of his first goals was to add his father. The only problem? Bill was still under contract with the Browns.
“It’s hard to get out of a contract in the National Football League for a coach,” Bill said. “So for [the Browns] to open the door and the avenue to come with Brian meant a lot to me. It just shows you they’re first-class people, they’re special. Cleveland was a special place for me for four years, but when it’s family and family comes calling, it’s different, and it’s very special.”
Now a father and son from the same family tree — but slightly different coaching trees — are trying to get the Titans on the track for success. Their similarities and the unique dynamic have led to a few misunderstandings and jokes along the way, however.
“It’s kind of confusing. I just call them both ‘coach,’” Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry said. “Sometimes I’ll call them ‘Coach Bill’; sometimes I’ll call Brian ‘Coach Cally.’ I mean, whatever comes out.”
Running backs coach Randy Jordan remembers getting confused early on.
“I get here and they were like, ‘Cally’s in the building.’ [I’m] thinking about Bill but not thinking that’s Brian. So there was a little bit of communication that took place in my brain in terms of saying, ‘OK, now Brian is Cally and Bill is Bill.’”
Offensive coordinator Nick Holz, who played high school football with Brian and coached under Bill, said it’s really easy to mix them up.
“It’s like you’re talking to the same person at times,” Holz said. “So you’re like, ‘Wait, that’s just the older version of the younger version.’ But it’s been fun.”
As far as communication on the sidelines and over the headset, Brian said he tries to keep it professional. However, old habits of what to call his father die hard.
“I try to stay with ‘coach’ most of the time,” he said.
Asked whether a couple of “dads” have slipped out, he replied, “Here and there.”
Whatever they go by and call each other, this son and father coaching combo is right where they want to be. Despite an 0-2 start to the season, they are redefining the family coaching tree.
“It’s really special for any dad out there to be with their son,” Bill said. “To end my career with my son? You couldn’t ask for a better scenario.”
Brian said: “I certainly never thought it was going to be me as the head coach, hiring him to coach the offensive line. I never in a million years thought that would be the case, but it’s been a dream come true.”
