Steelers Expected To Add 3-4 More Exciting Names To Head Coach Search

The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing something that no one truly expected in the 2026 offseason. After the team’s devastating 30-6 loss at home to the Houston Texans in the playoffs, long-time head coach Mike Tomlin made his intentions clear to his players. In a meeting with the team, Tomlin announced that he would be stepping away from coaching in the NFL at the age of 53. His departure marks the end of an era, and the Steelers now face the challenge of finding only their fourth head coach since 1969, a position defined by stability, success, and high expectations.

The legacy of the previous three head coaches looms large over this search. Each of Tomlin’s predecessors brought the Steelers at least one Super Bowl title, meaning the next coach will have enormous shoes to fill. While Tomlin’s leadership and personality may be impossible to replicate, the potential to guide this storied franchise back to championship glory remains very real. Steeler Nation is now watching closely, eager to see which candidate will carry the torch forward.

According to Steelers insider Gerry Dulac, the team has already requested interviews with eight candidates, though he notes that this is far from the final list. Dulac’s sources indicate that at least three, and possibly four more names, are expected to be added in the coming days. With the selection process just beginning, anticipation is building around who will be the next leader of Pittsburgh’s iconic football program and whether they can continue the tradition of success that has defined the franchise for decades.

"The eight candidates for whom the Steelers requested interviews is not the final list," Dulac said on Friday. "They are expected to add three or four more names, per sources."

As it stands on Friday, the Steelers have reportedly requested interviews with eight candidates for their next head coach. 

The list includes Nate Scheelhaase, the Rams Passing Game Coordinator, Chris Shula, the Rams Defensive Coordinator, Brian Flores, the Vikings Defensive Coordinator, Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins Defensive Coordinator, Jesse Minter, the Chargers Defensive Coordinator, Jeff Hafley, the Packers Defensive Coordinator, Ejiro Evero, the Panthers Defensive Coordinator, and Klay Kubiak, the 49ers Offensive Coordinator.

Steelers Focused On Defense First In Their Next Head Coaching Hire

After seeing this list, the first thought is that it is clear where the Steelers are looking in their search. Six of the eight requested interview candidates are defensive-minded coaches. While the future of certain players such as TJ Watt and Cam Heyward are now up in the air. The Steelers have always put priority on the defensive side of the football.

Only two are offensive-minded, Kubiak and Scheelhaase, with some pundits even going so far as to say that Scheelhaase may be the closest thing to the next Sean McVay. That is high praise, considering how McVay is often viewed around the NFL as an offensive genius.

Now the Steelers are expected to add at least three more names to this list, and as Dulac reported, possibly four. It will be interesting to see the ratio and how it plays out. Maybe the remaining candidates will be more offensive-focused, or perhaps the Steelers still believe that defense wins championships. 

They could feel confident in hiring a defensive-minded guru who can assemble the right assistants to get the job done on all three sides of the football. Either way, this search is heating up and getting exciting for Steelers fans to follow.

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

#SteelerNation