Interviews for Steelers new head coach thread

[Avoid_Lloyd]

4/5 are DC’s. The NFL rules don’t allow teams to play dominant defense like the 70’s, 90’s or early 2000’s. Hire an offensive guy. Let’s try scoring points for a change. Time for something new.

Plus we need to groom a long term QB, hiring a HC with an offensive background makes a lot of sense

 

[SteelerFan448]

I don’t think there’s any way they’d interview coordinators before they hire a head coach.

The head coach needs to hire the guys he wants to be coordinators

Shula's name was probably the first out there prior to Tomlin leaving. I think they want to interview both Rams' coaches as viable candidates, but also to gain some insight into the Rams' system. They may also vision it as a HC/OC duo and want a feel for that dynamic.

I'd still interview a ton of OCs. The offensive mind/QB combination is the most important pairing in football right now.

 

[stillerfaninfl]

Does Randle El get an interview ?

 

[BLITZ]

If they hire a offen minded coach, I would want Jim Schwartz as DC

 

[KStilley]

Weaver wasn’t on my radar hmmm.

Kind of surprised, read that he did an outstanding job in 2024 but not this past season and was thrown under the bus by HC after a poor defensive performance.

 

[Steelmann]

OC coordinator Antwan Randle El
QB coach Charlie Batch
OLine coach Alan Faneca
WR coach Hines Ward.
RB coach Merril Hodge
TE coach Heath Miller

DC coordinator Joe Greene
DL coach Aaron Smith
LB coach Jack Ham
DB coach Ike Taylor


and


Head Coach..... Troy Polamalu (we'll need God on our side)

Team psychologist……Antonio Brown.
Team work out trainer…..James Harrison.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Shula would be great, and bring Scheelhaase has his OC, good deal, but Scheelhaase by himself? Was the dude bagging groceries not available?

That would be my first choice.

 

[Paul G]

OC coordinator Antwan Randle El
QB coach Charlie Batch
OLine coach Alan Faneca
WR coach Hines Ward.
RB coach Merril Hodge
TE coach Heath Miller

DC coordinator Joe Greene
DL coach Aaron Smith
LB coach Jack Ham
DB coach Ike Taylor


and


Head Coach..... Troy Polamalu (we'll need God on our side)

Team psychologist……Antonio Brown.
Team work out trainer…..James Harrison.

No love for BEN R

 

[fedderone]

Team psychologist……Antonio Brown.
Team work out trainer…..James Harrison.

No love for BEN R

Ben would be HR.

 

[warriors42]

I'm a hard no on Flores as head coach but would take him as DC in a heart beat. Just my opinion I know he probably got a raw deal in Miami but I think he may be a head case and we need a coach that can get us back to the days when we had integrity. plus we don't need another non losing season coach and that's how I see him.

I want to see someone like Cowher, a coach that can get the best out of his players but smart enough to surround himself with great assistance

 

[Litos]

Ben would be HR.

all the female interns must be down to fwork

 

[fedderone]

all the female interns must be down to fwork

And he could make sure everyone is safety compliant with helmets, too.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

If they’ll interview the Rams passing coordinator Scheelhase per Schefter (which I like to see) they need to interview Kubiak too

They need to look at a guy from the offensive side of the ball, it’s 2026

I'd hire Shula as HC and let him bring Scheelhase with him (if he wants) to be OC.

 

[Paul G]

I'd hire Shula as HC and let him bring Scheelhase with him (if he wants) to be OC.

Throw in that WR3 guy ......... what's his name .....Puka

 

[DesertSteel]

OC coordinator Antwan Randle El
QB coach Charlie Batch
OLine coach Alan Faneca
WR coach Hines Ward.
RB coach Merril Hodge
TE coach Heath Miller

DC coordinator Joe Greene
DL coach Aaron Smith
LB coach Jack Ham
DB coach Ike Taylor


and


Head Coach..... Troy Polamalu (we'll need God on our side)

I thought you were going to name James Harrison as HC.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I thought you were going to name James Harrison as HC.

Deebo for Strength & Conditioning Coach.

 

[insaniti]

Rooney said it may take 2-3 weeks because there is a process in place they have to follow.



Without knowing much about each yet, I would rank them Scheelhaase and Shula at the top. I don't have much interest in the other three. I also hope they interview Grant Udinski and add a lot more OCs to this list, too many DCs to start.

Seems to be working alright out in Seattle. I mean we have people here trying to steal his OC for our HC vacancy. We still have the highest paid D in the league, why not hire someone who can get them back to that elite level? As long as he can bring in someone to run the offense in a modern style, like Kubiak is in Seattle, it works just fine.

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

I'd hire Shula as HC and let him bring Scheelhase with him (if he wants) to be OC.

I’d be cool with that.

I’m disappointed that there aren’t more offensive coaches on this list tho

Looks like more of Rooney being in love with tradition first and being closed minded against offensive coaches.

However I’d settle for a defensive coach that’s open to hiring the best and brightest on to his staff (and embracing a modern offense) and embracing innovation

Hey maybe they if they hire a passsing coordinator in Scheelhasse for head coach it will mean the Steelers will actually get one of those too

 

[slashsteel]

Because we are locked into two known interviews I had AI give me its favorite comparing the two:

The Comparison: Minter vs. Shula​

Feature	Jesse Minter (Chargers DC)	Chris Shula (Rams DC)
Aggression Style	The Architect: Specializes in "simulated pressure." He makes the QB panic by showing a blitz and then dropping into a trap.	The Hunter: High-energy, focuses on strip-sacks and turnover margin. Very "McVay-like" in his intensity.
Statistical Edge	#1 Scoring Defense in 2024. His unit specializes in keeping teams out of the end zone.	5th in Takeaways in 2025. His unit is better at "flipping the field."
4th Quarter Philosophy	Proactive: He ramps up the pressure late. His 2025 Chargers allowed the fewest 4th-quarter points in the NFL.	Reactive: Great at making adjustments, but sometimes relies on the offense to keep the lead.
Steelers Factor	Grew up as a ball boy for Mike Tomlin at Cincinnati. He knows the Steelers "way" by heart.	Grandson of Don Shula. Deep family ties to the Rooneys and a former DC at John Carroll (Pittsburgh's backyard).

 

[slashsteel]

It compared then gave its favorite;

Why Minter is my "Clear Favorite"​

If you want to stop the "rinse-and-repeat" cycle of Wild Card exits, Minter is the more strategic choice.

• The "Ravens" Blueprint: He spent four years in Baltimore. Hiring him is like stealing the secret playbook of the team that has consistently played the "hard-nosed, aggressive" football you want to see in Pittsburgh.
  
  
  
  
• The League-Wide Consensus: Minter is the only coach in this cycle to be requested by all 9 teams with openings. When the entire league agrees someone is a "can't-miss" prospect, there's usually a reason.
• The Schematic Match: Imagine Minter using his "disguised pressure" system with T.J. Watt and Keeanu Benton. It would be a nightmare for AFC North quarterbacks who are used to the Steelers' more predictable zone schemes.

---

The "Shula" Counter-Point​

Don't get me wrong, Chris Shula is a fantastic pick. If the Steelers hire him, they are getting a younger, more energetic version of the "Steelers DNA." He’s a safe, high-floor hire.

But Jesse Minter is the high-ceiling, "Super Bowl Architect" hire. He doesn't just want to win; he wants to dominate the mental side of the game.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

If they’ll interview the Rams passing coordinator Scheelhase per Schefter (which I like to see) they need to interview Kubiak too

They need to look at a guy from the offensive side of the ball, it’s 2026

They just got their ***** handed to them by a team whose head coach is from the defensive side. Not saying that it matters, but offensive minds vs defensive minds; the trends change in the NFL all the time as to which one is more desirable.

 

[slashsteel]

I have to say as I dig deeper I don’t get some fans dislike of Minter he actually seems like an attractive option. So does Shula for me. For the 5 so far this heads my list. Also I wonder if they will wait until they have an opportunity to bring Kubiak in.

 

[slashsteel]

They just got their ***** handed to them by a team whose head coach is from the defensive side. Not saying that it matters, but offensive minds vs defensive minds; the trends change in the NFL all the time as to which one is more desirable.

I just looked at the top coaches in the NFL I want to say it leans offense background. But if they are modern aggressive minded that isn’t a kill switch bringing in a DC.

 

[slashsteel]

I’d be cool with that.

I’m disappointed that there aren’t more offensive coaches on this list tho

Looks like more of Rooney being in love with tradition first and being closed minded against offensive coaches.

However I’d settle for a defensive coach that’s open to hiring the best and brightest on to his staff (and embracing a modern offense) and embracing innovation

Hey maybe they if they hire a passsing coordinator in Scheelhasse for head coach it will mean the Steelers will actually get one of those too

So early in the process I imagine there is going to be more offensive minded background options.