NASHVILLE — The NFL knows how to create storylines when scheduling, especially for season openers.
Brian Callahan will make his regular-season debut as head coach of the Tennessee Titans this Sunday against the host Chicago Bears — a team he grew up cheering for, along with most of the Windy City’s other pro teams.
“It’s a great place, and it’s a great sports town, too, on top of it,” Callahan said Wednesday. “So, cool moment to be able to go open up my head coaching career in Chicago. Fitting.”
Callahan’s father Bill, Tennessee’s offensive line coach, grew up on the South Side, took his son to White Sox baseball games at old Comiskey Park and remains a devoted fan. His mother is from the North Side, with her sister still in Chicago. He called the Callahans a “tried and true” Chicago family.
On Sunday, cheering choices will be easy for the Callahans, even though they’ll be trying to help the visiting team get the victory. The younger Callahan, the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals the past five seasons, has been able to give more attention to the Bearns than he will most game plans — a luxury that comes with the opener following a two-week break since the three-game exhibition preseason wrapped up.