Expected new Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan has a reported fan in an NFL legend with Tennessee ties.

Peyton Manning, who worked with Callahan in Denver during the final years of his career, was an "advocate" for Callahan as the 39-year-old interviewed for the Indianapolis Colts' opening last winter, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on Jan. 30, 2023.

Callahan made it to the second round of interviews with the Colts, but did not make it to the reported finalists. The Colts opted instead for Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, waiting until after the Super Bowl in February to finalize the deal.

Callahan and Steichen are now divisional rivals 11 months later, with the Titans working to finalize a deal with Callahan to make him the team's next head coach.

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Manning, also a former Colts star, has first-hand experience with Callahan. The former Vols quarterback spent his final four NFL seasons in Denver, making two Super Bowl trips and earning a title with Callahan on staff as an offensive assistant. In 2015, Callahan worked primarily with the quarterbacks as Manning worked back from a midseason foot injury to lead the Broncos to a win in Super Bowl 50.

Callahan credits his interactions with Manning as a vital part of his development as a coach.

“A lot of it having to do with spending time with Peyton Manning," Callahan said to the Cincinnati Enquirer in 2021. "The amount of film study it requires to be on top of the details and on top of what you’re going to see and (be able to) anticipate.

"I got in that mode early in my career and I really haven’t changed. I try to watch every bit of film I can watch.”

Eight seasons after working with one of the best quarterbacks ever, Callahan gets his chance to be an NFL head coach.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Peyton Manning a fan of Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans expected coach