Report: Titans hire Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel

Another Dallas Cowboys coach is on the move. This time, it’s special teams coordinator John “Bones” Fassel.

The Tennessee Titans are hiring the longtime special teams coordinator, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Monday. It’s a big-time hire for head coach Brian Callahan, entering his second season at the helm in Tennessee. Fassel will replace Colt Anderson, who held the job for just one season.

Fassel, 51, brings experience, having served as a special teams coordinator in the NFL since 2008. Fassel joined the Cowboys in 2020 working under former head coach Mike McCarthy. During Fassel’s tenure, punter Bryan Anger made two Pro Bowls, Brandon Aubrey became arguably the league’s best placekicker and KaVontae Turpin earned a First Team All-Pro honor as a kick returner this past season. Fassel has also coached special teams for the Las Vegas Raiders (2008-11) and Los Angeles Rams (2012-19).

The Titans, meanwhile, struggled mightily on special teams in 2024. Per Nick Suss of The Tennessean, punter Ryan Stonehouse had kicks blocked in each of the team’s first two games, Titans opponents led the NFL in punt return yards and ranked second in the league in yards per kickoff return.

Titans make big-time hire in John Fassel

Tennessee is making changes across its coaching staff and front office after going 3-14 this season, securing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Titans fired general manager Ran Carthon and this past Friday, announced the hiring of Kansas City Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi to fill the opening.

“Mike’s experience speaks for itself: he has been part of the core team that delivered four AFC championships and three Super Bowls over the past five seasons,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. “It’s the type of standard I want to build here in Tennessee. I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, and I’m excited for Mike to get started.”