Saleh praised Strunk’s resources as “like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” and called her an “unbelievable human” based on what he learned about the organization. Meeting Strunk and the Titans’ leadership in person only reinforced his positive impression of the people who run the franchise.
A core philosophy guided Saleh’s reasoning: championships are built by people, not just talent. He described the Titans as “built to win a championship because of the people,” from Strunk on down to every level of the organization, emphasizing culture and leadership over rosters alone.
The mutual due diligence went both ways. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi and his staff conducted extensive background checks, reaching out to coaches, scouts, and players who worked with Saleh. The feedback was universally positive, and Borgonzi noted Saleh’s leadership presence from the moment he stepped into the room.
That collaborative vetting created clear alignment before any agreement was reached, with Saleh knowing what he was walking into and Tennessee knowing the type of leader they were hiring. Now he’ll begin shaping a roster around quarterback Cam Ward and a young core, building on a foundation of strong leadership and culture.
In Tennessee, the hire reinforces an organizational emphasis on people and leadership as the driving force behind sustained success, rather than roster tinkering alone. Saleh’s approach mirrors the Titans’ stated priorities as they move forward with a new era of ownership-backed commitment to winning.
