The Tennessee Titans interviewed Vance Joseph for their head coaching vacancy. Here’s everything you need to know about the Titans’ prospects.
Joseph, 53, is the defensive coordinator for the No. 1-seeded Denver Broncos, which ranks second in total defense in 2025, No. 1 in yards allowed per game and No. 3 in scoring defense. Joseph previously served as Denver’s head coach from 2017-18 and has defensive coordinator experience with Miami and Arizona in addition to three years of NFL playing experience and an additional 15 years of NFL and college coaching experience.
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Coach Vance Joseph Bio
Joseph’s first head coaching opportunity was disappointing. He takes over a Denver team that has posted five straight winning seasons, including four AFC West titles, two Super Bowl appearances and a Lombardi Trophy, and posted records of 5-11 and 6-10 in two years. His defense was still among the top three in the league in his first year, but even declined in his second year, with the Broncos slipping to 12th in scoring and 22nd in total defense.
Joseph’s team especially struggled on offense, the result of a quarterback struggling to stay consistent. Joseph’s team cycled between Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch in his first year before handing the ball over to Case Keenum in his second year. The quartet combined for 37 touchdowns and 37 interceptions in two years.
The Broncos fired Joseph after two seasons. The next year, he brought his defensive philosophy to Arizona, helping the team reach the playoffs in four years.
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But Joseph’s real reputation restoration comes when he returns to Denver in 2023 as Sean Payton’s defensive secondary. The Broncos, with their formidable front line of Nick Bonito, Jonathan Cooper, Zach Allen and John Franklin Miles, have led the NFL in sacks each of the past two seasons. Bonito, Cooper, Allen and Franklin Miles combined for 76 sacks over the past two seasons. By comparison, the Titans as an organization totaled 74 sacks in the same time frame.
Vance Joseph joining Titans? What’s the point?
Joseph likes a slightly better-than-average defensive scheme and trusts the cornerbacks to make plays in coverage. That’s easier to achieve when coaching a player like 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, but Joseph’s belief in Surtain has helped Surtain become one of the league’s best cornerbacks.
The Titans started the 2025 season 1-5 and 3-14 in 2024, firing former coach Brian Callahan in October. The Titans finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record under interim coach Mike McCoy and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Titans coaching search candidates, information
The Titans have announced the completion of head coaching interviews with the following candidates:
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Steve Spagnuolo, Chiefs DC
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Kevin Stefanski, former Browns HC
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Jason Garrett, former Cowboys HC
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Mike McCoy, Titans interim HC
The Titans also have scheduled or requested interviews with the following candidates: former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, former Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris, former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Nick Suss is a Tennessee Titans staff writer. Contact Nick: nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @Nixus. subscription Talking Titan Newsletter Updates delivered straight to your inbox.
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This article originally appeared in Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans coaching search: Vance Joseph’s pros and cons as a candidate