The Steelers are in the process of finding a new head coach to succeed Mike Tomlin. They’ve already begun interviews with two candidates who have connections to the city.
Brian Flores, a former assistant coach for the Steelers and currently the defensive coordinator for the Vikings, along with Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy, who previously coached the Cowboys and Packers, are both on the list. The interview with Flores is set for Tuesday, while McCarthy’s is scheduled for Wednesday, according to reports.
Pittsburgh is among the six teams left looking for a coach, joining the Raiders, Cardinals, Browns, Bills, and Ravens. The challenge for whoever takes the job is considerable, given Tomlin’s successful tenure, which included a Super Bowl win in the 2008 season and no losing records across nearly two decades.
Tomlin was brought in to replace Bill Cowher back in 2006 after just one year as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, making the turnaround a little tricky.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II commented on their search by saying, “I don’t want to set any real terms.” He mentioned that they are open to various candidates and aren’t limiting their options too strictly. He noted that, ideally, they would love to find someone similar to past legends like Chuck Noll or Bill Cowher.
Flores, age 44, had a stint as the Miami head coach before his current position. His performance with the Vikings has positioned him well for potential head coaching roles.
As for McCarthy, at 62, he’s hoping to make a comeback after spending last season out of coaching. He had a successful run with the Packers, winning a championship, before coaching the Cowboys until 2024. There were other jobs available during this hiring cycle, such as the Giants and Titans, which he chose to pass on.
Initially, it appeared that Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula was favored to land the Steelers’ job. The team has also spoken with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver in virtual interviews, with in-person meetings kicking off this week.
Whoever steers the Steelers may face challenges in the quarterback position as well. There’s uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ potential return. While ESPN indicated that the team remains open to a second year with the 42-year-old, there seems to be some doubt since Tomlin is no longer involved.
And then, of course, there’s the possibility that Rodgers might choose to retire.
