Titans promote Kelly to offensive coordinator

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans announced Tuesday they promoted Tim Kelly to offensive coordinator. Kelly spent last season as the team’s pass game coordinator.

“I think it’s the right fit,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. “It’s the perfect fit. Met with some really good candidates. What Tim [Kelly] ultimately was able to do was provide some familiarity and some carryover because I don’t think everything is broken.”

Vrabel mentioned that he spoke to quarterback Ryan Tannehill about the decision to hire Kelly and said Tannehill seemed excited. He added that Tannehill is at the team facility every day.

Prior to joining the Titans, Kelly spent eight seasons with the Houston Texans in different coaching roles.

Kelly joined the Texans in 2014 as an offensive quality control assistant before holding multiple roles, including assistant offensive line, tight ends coach and most recently offensive coordinator (2019-21).

The Titans also made several additions to the coaching staff. Former Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London has been named the pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

London was an initial candidate for the Titans’ offensive coordinator position. Although London didn’t land the job, Vrabel found a way to still add him to the staff after watching him interact with the players at the Senior Bowl last week as one of the offensive coordinators.

Chris Harris joins Tennessee’s staff as defensive pass game coordinator/cornerbacks coach. Harris spent the past three seasons with the Washington Commanders as the defensive backs coach.

Other coaching additions include Lori Locust, defensive quality control, and Justin Hamilton, defensive quality control. Locust becomes the first full-time woman coach in Titans franchise history.

The Titans also promoted Jason Houghtaling to offensive line coach. Houghtaling was the assistant offensive line coach over the past two seasons.

“He’s a great teacher, and he’s worked in multiple schemes,” Vrabel said. “It was probably one of the best interviews I’ve had in five years. I am extremely happy and excited to give him this opportunity.”

Tony Dews will take over as the tight ends coach after serving as the running backs coach since joining the Titans in 2018. Tennessee still has to fill the running backs coach position.

The Titans now have two analyst roles on their offensive staff. Former quarterbacks coach Pat O’Hara is now the pass game analyst, and former tight ends coach Luke Steckel is the run game analyst.