The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a losing season since the 2003 campaign, and while that is an extremely important accomplishment for the organization, the departure of Mike Tomlin has left it in question. Some sort of rebuild or restructure may be in the cards, but it really all depends on who Art Rooney II and Omar Khan hire to be the next head coach. The individual will have a lot of pressure on himself, particularly because the franchise has only had three hold the honor dating back to 1969. A lot is going to change in the Steel City over the course of the next couple weeks.
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Steelers Team President and Owner Art Rooney II addresses the crowd during Franco Harris' emotional retirement ceremony on Dec. 24th, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
It should excite Steelers fans that the team is already aggressively pursuing some of the biggest names in the head-coaching cycle. Most of the initial requests have been for defensive-minded individuals, but a couple of intriguing offensive guys have come into play as well. Both Nathan Scheelhaase of the Los Angeles Rams and Klay Kubiak of the San Francisco 49ers will be given the opportunity to impress Pittsburgh's front office.
What immediately sticks out there is the current status of those two working under Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, respectively. Scheelhaase isn't the only one on the Rams' staff that is expected to interview, however. Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula will be one of the most prominent individuals to speak with Rooney, Khan, and potentially others.
Right now, I'd say Chris Shula interests me the most out of the head coaches that the Steelers have set up interviews with
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) January 15, 2026
What is fascinating about this situation is that the Steelers' specific intent to interview a rising passing game coordinator in Scheelhaase, while also bringing in one of the more desirable candidates in Shula. The two are both on McVay's staff, one that has reached another Divisional Round in the postseason. It's not off base to assume Shula is one of Pittsburgh's favorites, while getting to interview Scheelhaase could quickly be a way to vet him as the next offensive coordinator.
Rooney has already stated that the entire coaching staff will be free to look elsewhere, and that whoever the new coach is would have to retain anyone that currently is in the Steel City. If the Steelers want to offer Shula the job sooner rather than later and have an opportunity to get to know Scheelhaase too, an easy cherry on top could be telling Shula that his fellow coach in Los Angeles can come with him.
AP Photo / Kyusung Gong
Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase throws the ball before an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif.
This is a slight, but efficient interview tactic for Pittsburgh. Additionally, for some reason if Scheelhaase blows them away in an interview — as Tomlin did in 2007 — he can still be offered the lead job. It's possible that wherever Shula goes, Scheelhaase tags along anyway. Currently for the Rams, Mike LaFleur is the offensive coordinator by title, but McVay runs the show. It shouldn't come as a surprise if LaFleur also ends up having a request put in by the Steelers.
Pittsburgh is being very calculated in its early search for a new head coach. A dream pairing could be Shula as the leader and defensive play-caller, while Scheelhaase gets his first crack at being a true offensive coordinator at the NFL level. He has often been referenced as the next McVay, which would be phenomenal to have in the Steel City to reignite the offense, even if it was for just one season.
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Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay stands in front of local and national media while answering questions about his team.
Steelers Will Be Very Detail-Orientated In Critical Search For Their Next Head Coach
No stone will be left unturned for Pittsburgh. Tomlin provided consistency and a familiar face. No matter what the roster looked like, the decision-makers for the franchise knew the players would be in good hands with a phenomenal leader. That is exactly what Rooney and Khan will look for in his replacement. It just might work out that two coaches could be poached from the McVay tree due to a disguised offensive coordinator interview for Scheelhaase.
Do you think the Steelers have what it takes to land both Shula and Scheelhaase? Let us know in the comments below!
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