Tennessee Titans have made a decisive move to reshape their defensive identity, confirming the hiring of veteran coach Gus Bradley as their new defensive coordinator.
The appointment signals a clear statement of intent from the franchise as it looks to build a disciplined, experienced, and scheme-driven defense under a familiar and proven partnership.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Titans’ decision brings together two long-time collaborators once again.
Pelissero wrote on Monday, “Robert Saleh adds a trusted piece to his staff,” a description that only begins to capture the depth of the professional bond between Saleh and Bradley.
Their working relationship now stretches across four NFL franchises and nearly 15 years, making it one of the more enduring coaching partnerships in the league.
A partnership built over time
The roots of the Saleh-Bradley connection trace back to Seattle, where Bradley served as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator from 2009 to 2012.
During that span, he helped lay the groundwork for what later became the iconic Legion of Boom secondary. Saleh joined the Seahawks staff in 2011 as a defensive quality control coach, an entry-level role that allowed him to study Bradley’s defensive structure, teaching methods, and overall philosophy from the ground up.
Those early seasons proved foundational. Saleh absorbed Bradley’s approach to defense, particularly the emphasis on speed, discipline, and accountability. That shared understanding would become a recurring theme as their careers continued to intersect.
Reuniting in Jacksonville and beyond
When Bradley earned his first NFL head coaching opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013, he did not forget the young assistant who had worked under him in Seattle.
In 2014, Bradley brought Saleh to Jacksonville as the team’s linebackers coach, giving him his first position-coach role in the league.
The duo spent three seasons together with the Jaguars, gaining experience while navigating the challenges of a rebuilding roster.
Although Bradley’s tenure in Jacksonville ended in December 2016 with a 15-49 record, the professional trust between the two coaches remained intact.
That trust resurfaced again during the 2025 season in San Francisco. Saleh returned to the 49ers as defensive coordinator following his dismissal from the New York Jets in October 2024.
Bradley joined the staff as an assistant head coach on the defensive side, once again aligning their football philosophies.
Roles reversed in Tennessee
Now in Tennessee, the dynamic has shifted. Saleh has brought Bradley onto his staff, with Bradley assuming control of Tennessee Titans’ defense.
The move reflects Saleh’s confidence in Bradley’s experience and his ability to install a cohesive system built on fundamentals and clarity.