Change is something the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown an aversion to for nearly all of their history. There is a reason (beyond their immense overall success) that they have had just three head coaches since 1969. With Mike Tomlin's departure forcing them to pivot unexpectedly, fans are watching anxiously to see how they go about finding a new HC.
While that search gets underway, there were questions about whether owner Art Rooney II would want to keep some of the remaining coaching staff in place. It was a fair thing to wonder, as keeping some of the remnants of Tomlin's regime could be a way to keep the status quo somewhat intact.
Luckily for fans, it looks like that won't be the case.
According to Steelers insider Gerry Dulac, the current coaching staff is being told that they can pursue other opportunities and won't be kept on unless the new HC desires it.
The Steelers have told all of Mike Tomlin’s assistant coaches they are free to pursue other opportunities and won’t be retained unless the new head coach wants to rehire them, per multiple sources. All coaches are under contract through the end of February.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) January 15, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers are making the right choice to allow their next HC to pick his staff
Despite some current coaches still being viewed favorably by fans, the overall idea of allowing the next HC to pick his staff is easily the right decision. One of Tomlin's biggest weaknesses during his 19-year career in Pittsburgh was his inability to hire the right guys around him to help innovate and elevate the scheme and roster.
Allowing whoever the Steelers hire to fill out the staff with his choices will be a quick way to find out how capable they are of putting the right coaches in the right spots.
It will also allow the Steelers to truly move on from the Tomlin era, leaving none of the questions that were a constant talking point when Tomlin kept several coaches in place when he was hired in 2007. How many times have you heard someone say that Tomlin only won because he had Bill Cowher's players and coaches?
That isn't to say that zero current Steelers' coaches will be retained by the new coach. Special teams coordinator Danny Smith, running backs coach Eddie Faulkner, wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, and defensive line coach Karl Dunbar are all candidates to return due to their experience and reputation around the NFL.
Even if it is a true restart on the coaching side of things, Steelers fans are ready for a new chapter in the storied history of Pittsburgh football. With any luck, they will hit big on another HC that can last for many years to come.