Having already mined the staff of the Steelers for their past two head coaches, the Cardinals reportedly would like to go back to the well one more time after Bruce Arians resigned on Monday.
According to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Arizona management has asked the Steelers for permission to speak to offensive line coach Mike Munchak about the opening. There has been no word if the Steelers have granted Munchak permission to do so.
The #AZCardinals have requested permission to speak with #Steelers OL coach Mike Munchak, source said. Former #Titans coach getting a deserved look.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 1, 2018
Munchak, 57, is a native of Scranton, Pa., and a Penn State graduate. A Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive linemen with the Houston Oilers, he broke into coaching with that franchise after it moved to Tennessee, eventually becoming head coach in 2011. He was fired after the 2013 season after posting a 22-26 record.
Soon after he was let go by the Titans, Munchak was hired as the offensive line coach of the Steelers, replacing Sean Kugler. Kugler had left to become the head coach at UTEP.
Under Munchak's tutelage, the Steelers' offensive line has blossomed into one of the best in the NFL, not only producing Pro Bowl players in former first-round draft picks Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro, but in undrafted left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, as well.
The position with the Cardinals opened up Monday when Arians, a former Steelers offensive coordinator, resigned after compiling a 41-21-1 record five seasons. Arians replaced another former Steelers' offensive coordinator, Ken Whisenhunt.