One of the more underrated additions to the Tennessee Titans’ coaching staff this offseason was the hiring of defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach, Chris Harris.
Harris has nearly two decades of NFL experience under his belt as both a player and coach. Because of that background, the Louisiana-Monroe product is not only able to identify where his players need help on the field, he’s also able to relate to them on a personal and professional level as well.
These things were rather obvious after the Titans posted a mic’d up clip the recently, which showed just how passionate the defensive coach can be on your average workday.
Find someone with more energy 🔋
DB coach Chris Harris with the @Whataburger SoundBites 🍔 pic.twitter.com/odEwZAoCAf
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) June 9, 2023
It’s clear that Harris knows how to get the best out of his players by being an energetic presence for his entire group to feed off of, while also showing that he’s able to adequately teach his guys when working with someone individually
In addition to being a fiery leader, it’s easy to understand why players gravitate towards him.
On top of being a former second-team All-Pro safety himself, the Arkansas native has had a lot of recent success when it comes to coaching up the backend of the defense.
Prior to arriving in Tennessee, Harris spent the last three years in Washington as the defensive backs coach for the Football Team/Commanders.
Under Harris’ guidance, Washington’s secondary was always formidable, ranking eighth in passing yards allowed (213.1 yards per game) and fourth in total yards allowed (323.4 yards per game) since the start of 2020.
Last season alone, the Commanders ended the year ranked in the top 10 in third-down defense (first), total defense (third), passing yards allowed (fourth), points allowed (eighth) and red-zone defense (ninth).
Harris certainly can’t take all of the credit for Washington’s success in the defensive backfield, but when the position group you coach ranks in the top four in two of the last three years, it’s certainly fair to credit said coach.
Let’s hope Harris can replicate that type of success in Tennessee as he takes over a secondary that ranked No. 32 overall in 2022.
