With Mike Tomlin stepping down as head coach of the Steelers, attention will now abruptly shift toward the man that will replace him. Regardless of who it is, there is a high standard to uphold as each of the last three coaches have contributed a Lombardi Trophy to the case at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
While the actual list of candidates is not yet known, there are several coaches that will garner attention and be thrown into the external conversation, at the very least.
BRIAN FLORES
Current job: Vikings defensive coordinator
What a turn of events this would be, huh? Some skeptics believe Flores was not retained by the Steelers after the 2022 season because Tomlin feared he would threaten his job.
In reality, Flores is a sought after candidate in this coaching cycle because he's had success with the Vikings' defense. This season, they ranked third in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, and they ranked fifth in scoring defense in 2024. Flores also has previous head coaching experience with the Dolphins, and he's still at a young age of 44.
MARCUS FREEMAN
Current job: Notre Dame head coach
This is quite a stretch for the Steelers. In fact, ESPN is reporting that Freeman is expected to remain the head coach for the Fighting Irish in 2026. However, that has not stopped NFL teams from inquiring about him.
Freeman, 40, is a defensive-minded coach, lauded for his leadership and being a great motivator. In his four seasons as head coach, Notre Dame has gone a combined 38-10 in the regular season, including an 11-1 record and trip to the national championship in 2024, losing to Ohio State.
JESSE MINTER
Current job: Chargers defensive coordinator
Minter has experience at both the college and pro levels. He served in various assistant roles under John Harbaugh with the Ravens from 2017-2020, then went on to be defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, where he helped them win a national championship in 2023.
Minter, 42, followed Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers in 2024, and now has become one of the coveted defensive coaches in this hiring cycle. In his two seasons as defensive coordinator, the Chargers have been a top-10 unit in scoring, including a No. 1 ranking in 2024. Minter's two-high-heavy scheme is very different from what the Steelers have run under Tomlin. Only the Titans have used more Cover 4 than the Chargers over the past two seasons.
CHRIS SHULA
Current job: Rams defensive coordinator
For those who want the Steelers to go after someone from the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay trees but also is okay with the franchise's preference to lean toward the defensive side of the ball, Shula might be your candidate.
The grandson of legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula, Chris has coached under McVay ever since he was hired to be the Rams' head coach in 2017. And, he's held just about every position imaginable on the defensive side, including assistant linebackers coach (2017-18), outside linebackers coach (2019-2020), linebackers coach (2021), pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach (2022), pass rush coordinator & linebackers coach (2023) and finally defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Shula is also just 39 years old, fitting the same mold as when both Bill Cowher and Tomlin were initially hired by the Steelers: Young, never had head coaching experience and lean toward the defensive side of the ball.
CURT CIGNETTI
Current job: University of Indiana head coach
The odds aren't very high here, as he's 64 years old and just signed an eight-year, $93 million contract extension, but there's no denying what Cignetti has done in his two seasons at Indiana.
The Pittsburgh native has a wealth of coaching experience, all at the college level and primarily on the offensive side of the ball, including stops at Pitt, Davidson, Rice, Temple, N.C. State, Alabama, IUP, Elon and James Madison (JMU). Cignetti has revived each program in which he's been head coach, including IUP, Elon, JMU and Indiana. Under Cignetti, JMU made the jump from the FCS to the FBS ranks. At Indiana, the Hoosiers have gone a ridiculous 26-2 under Cignetti, including appearances in the College Football Playoff in each of those seasons. This season, quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and Indiana is set to play Miami (FL) in the national championship on Monday.
NATE SCHEELHAASE
Current job: Rams passing game coordinator
While he's not a name with which a lot of people in Pittsburgh will be familiar, Scheelhaase is one of the more interesting coaches in this particular cycle. He's already been requested by the Ravens, Browns and Raiders for head coach interviews.
Scheelhaase, 35, coached at Iowa State for six seasons, helping develop a number of players that would be drafted to the NFL, including Brock Purdy, Breece Hall, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. McVay snagged him ahead of the 2024 NFL season, and he's served as both offensive assistant and passing game specialist in his first year, then was promoted to passing game coordinator for 2025. As teams keep trying to find fruitful branches from the McVay tree, especially on the offensive side of the ball, Scheelhaase seems to be one of the latest favorites.
KLINT KUBIAK
Current job: Seahawks offensive coordinator
Kubiak, 38, is currently enjoying his role as the coordinator of a talented Seattle offense that has a great chance to go to the Super Bowl. Kubiak is arguably the most sought after candidate on the market, as he's already interviewed with the Falcons, Ravens, Raiders and Dolphins, and has interviews scheduled with the Cardinals and Giants.
Kubiak's previously been offensive coordinator with the Vikings and Saints, though his time in Minnesota went much better. Regardless, he's known to create explosive plays and he's overseen the breakout of Justin Jefferson in Minnesota and fostered Sam Darnold into a legitimate MVP candidate in Seattle. He doesn't fit the profile the Steelers have typically gone after in their last two hires at head coach, but he's the home run swing if Art Rooney II opts to prioritize the offensive side of the ball.
ROBERT SALEH
Current job: 49ers defensive coordinator
After an unsuccessful run as the Jets' head coach, Saleh is once again a candidate a head coaching candidate. In a season in which the 49ers were decimated by injuries to key players, Saleh's defense still ranked 13th in scoring. And, owners still haven't forgotten that Saleh's defenses with the Jets ranked in the top four in three of his four seasons there.
Saleh, 46, is on the shortlist for the Cardinals, Dolphins and Titans, as all three have submitted requests for interviews. No, I don't believe Saleh is a strong candidate in Pittsburgh, but given the franchise's tendency to favor the defensive side of the ball, he's worth at least a mention.
Honorable mentions: Vance Joseph, Kevin Stefanski, John Harbaugh, Mike McDaniel, Jeff Hafley, Antwaan Randle El
THE ASYLUM
With Tomlin out, who's the next head coach?
With Mike Tomlin stepping down as head coach of the Steelers, attention will now abruptly shift toward the man that will replace him. Regardless of who it is, there is a high standard to uphold as each of the last three coaches have contributed a Lombardi Trophy to the case at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
While the actual list of candidates is not yet known, there are several coaches that will garner attention and be thrown into the external conversation, at the very least.
BRIAN FLORES
Current job: Vikings defensive coordinator
What a turn of events this would be, huh? Some skeptics believe Flores was not retained by the Steelers after the 2022 season because Tomlin feared he would threaten his job.
In reality, Flores is a sought after candidate in this coaching cycle because he's had success with the Vikings' defense. This season, they ranked third in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, and they ranked fifth in scoring defense in 2024. Flores also has previous head coaching experience with the Dolphins, and he's still at a young age of 44.
MARCUS FREEMAN
Current job: Notre Dame head coach
This is quite a stretch for the Steelers. In fact, ESPN is reporting that Freeman is expected to remain the head coach for the Fighting Irish in 2026. However, that has not stopped NFL teams from inquiring about him.
Freeman, 40, is a defensive-minded coach, lauded for his leadership and being a great motivator. In his four seasons as head coach, Notre Dame has gone a combined 38-10 in the regular season, including an 11-1 record and trip to the national championship in 2024, losing to Ohio State.
JESSE MINTER
Current job: Chargers defensive coordinator
Minter has experience at both the college and pro levels. He served in various assistant roles under John Harbaugh with the Ravens from 2017-2020, then went on to be defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, where he helped them win a national championship in 2023.
Minter, 42, followed Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers in 2024, and now has become one of the coveted defensive coaches in this hiring cycle. In his two seasons as defensive coordinator, the Chargers have been a top-10 unit in scoring, including a No. 1 ranking in 2024. Minter's two-high-heavy scheme is very different from what the Steelers have run under Tomlin. Only the Titans have used more Cover 4 than the Chargers over the past two seasons.
CHRIS SHULA
Current job: Rams defensive coordinator
For those who want the Steelers to go after someone from the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay trees but also is okay with the franchise's preference to lean toward the defensive side of the ball, Shula might be your candidate.
The grandson of legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula, Chris has coached under McVay ever since he was hired to be the Rams' head coach in 2017. And, he's held just about every position imaginable on the defensive side, including assistant linebackers coach (2017-18), outside linebackers coach (2019-2020), linebackers coach (2021), pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach (2022), pass rush coordinator & linebackers coach (2023) and finally defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Shula is also just 39 years old, fitting the same mold as when both Bill Cowher and Tomlin were initially hired by the Steelers: Young, never had head coaching experience and lean toward the defensive side of the ball.
CURT CIGNETTI
Current job: University of Indiana head coach
The odds aren't very high here, as he's 64 years old and just signed an eight-year, $93 million contract extension, but there's no denying what Cignetti has done in his two seasons at Indiana.
The Pittsburgh native has a wealth of coaching experience, all at the college level and primarily on the offensive side of the ball, including stops at Pitt, Davidson, Rice, Temple, N.C. State, Alabama, IUP, Elon and James Madison (JMU). Cignetti has revived each program in which he's been head coach, including IUP, Elon, JMU and Indiana. Under Cignetti, JMU made the jump from the FCS to the FBS ranks. At Indiana, the Hoosiers have gone a ridiculous 26-2 under Cignetti, including appearances in the College Football Playoff in each of those seasons. This season, quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and Indiana is set to play Miami (FL) in the national championship on Monday.
NATE SCHEELHAASE
Current job: Rams passing game coordinator
While he's not a name with which a lot of people in Pittsburgh will be familiar, Scheelhaase is one of the more interesting coaches in this particular cycle. He's already been requested by the Ravens, Browns and Raiders for head coach interviews.
Scheelhaase, 35, coached at Iowa State for six seasons, helping develop a number of players that would be drafted to the NFL, including Brock Purdy, Breece Hall, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. McVay snagged him ahead of the 2024 NFL season, and he's served as both offensive assistant and passing game specialist in his first year, then was promoted to passing game coordinator for 2025. As teams keep trying to find fruitful branches from the McVay tree, especially on the offensive side of the ball, Scheelhaase seems to be one of the latest favorites.
KLINT KUBIAK
Current job: Seahawks offensive coordinator
Kubiak, 38, is currently enjoying his role as the coordinator of a talented Seattle offense that has a great chance to go to the Super Bowl. Kubiak is arguably the most sought after candidate on the market, as he's already interviewed with the Falcons, Ravens, Raiders and Dolphins, and has interviews scheduled with the Cardinals and Giants.
Kubiak's previously been offensive coordinator with the Vikings and Saints, though his time in Minnesota went much better. Regardless, he's known to create explosive plays and he's overseen the breakout of Justin Jefferson in Minnesota and fostered Sam Darnold into a legitimate MVP candidate in Seattle. He doesn't fit the profile the Steelers have typically gone after in their last two hires at head coach, but he's the home run swing if Art Rooney II opts to prioritize the offensive side of the ball.
ROBERT SALEH
Current job: 49ers defensive coordinator
After an unsuccessful run as the Jets' head coach, Saleh is once again a candidate a head coaching candidate. In a season in which the 49ers were decimated by injuries to key players, Saleh's defense still ranked 13th in scoring. And, owners still haven't forgotten that Saleh's defenses with the Jets ranked in the top four in three of his four seasons there.
Saleh, 46, is on the shortlist for the Cardinals, Dolphins and Titans, as all three have submitted requests for interviews. No, I don't believe Saleh is a strong candidate in Pittsburgh, but given the franchise's tendency to favor the defensive side of the ball, he's worth at least a mention.
Honorable mentions: Vance Joseph, Kevin Stefanski, John Harbaugh, Mike McDaniel, Jeff Hafley, Antwaan Randle El
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits!
We’d love to have you!