The Mike Tomlin era is officially over, and for the first time in nearly two decades, the Pittsburgh Steelers are staring at a blank slate. At first, that reality stung. Tomlin was stability. He was the face of a franchise that prided itself on knowing exactly who it was. But after sitting with the state of the roster, the recurring issues, and now the names attached to Pittsburgh’s head coaching search, it’s clear this process has become exactly what the franchise needed.
The Steelers aren’t wasting time. Since Tomlin stepped away following his 19th season, Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan have hit the ground running, requesting interviews with eight notable coaches across the league. The urgency matters. It signals a front office that understands complacency is no longer acceptable. This isn’t a ceremonial search. It’s a pivot.
And the candidate list is impressive.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach search is headed in the right direction
Chris Shula, Las Angeles Rams - Defensive Coordinator
Pittsburgh clearly still has a “type.” Mid-30s to mid-40s. High football IQ. Strong leadership presence. Preferably defensive-minded, but no longer married to tradition for tradition’s sake. Chris Shula (39) fits that mold almost too perfectly. He's also the grandson of Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula.
At just 39, the Rams' defensive coordinator has already proven he can maximize limited talent. His background as a former Division I linebacker shows up in his teaching, and his defenses play fast, disciplined, and connected. Taking one of the league’s most underpaid units and turning it into a top-10 group in opponent points per game (20.9) doesn’t happen by accident. When people describe Shula as a “great connector” with emotional intelligence, it’s hard not to hear echoes of Mike Tomlin in 2006.
Pittsburgh had the second highest-paid units this season, but struggled to maintain consistency.
Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings - Defensive Coordinator
If familiarity is what fans crave, Brian Flores provides it. Flores’ brief but impactful stint in Pittsburgh as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022 left a strong impression.
Since then, he’s transformed Minnesota’s defense into one of the league’s most consistent units. In 2025, the Vikings ranked second in opponent passing yards allowed per game (158.5) and tied for sixth in yards per rush allowed (4.0) —two areas that haunted Pittsburgh all season. Flores represents continuity without stagnation, a bridge between the old identity and a modern evolution.
Nate Schalhasse, Los Angles Rams - Passing Game Coordinator
Still, fans are desperate for something different on offense. The predictable screens and toss plays of the past season weren’t just frustrating—they were season-ending. It was evident in an embarrassing 30-6 Wild Card loss. That’s where Nate Schalhaase enters the conversation. A former four-star quarterback at Illinois, Schalhaase has learned under Sean McVay as the Rams’ pass game coordinator.
The results speak loudly. Los Angeles ranked first in points per game (30.7) and yards per game. With uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith, investing in a young offensive mind with creativity and confidence could finally pull Pittsburgh into the modern NFL.
Scahlhasse is a highly-targetted candidate amongst NFL teams. He also has interviews with the Raiders, Ravens, and Browns on his busy schedule.
Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers - Defensive Coordinator
On the defensive side, Ejiro Evero stands out as a proven culture-builder. Carolina’s season mirrored Pittsburgh’s in many ways—an inconsistent offense leaning heavily on a defense that kept them competitive. Behind a ball-hungry secondary (9th), the Panthers clinched the NFC South for the first time since 2015.
Evero’s units are aggressive, opportunistic, and disciplined. His ability to rebuild secondaries and create turnovers is exactly what Pittsburgh lacked down the stretch, when explosive performances by Zay Flowers and Christian Kirk exposed fatal flaws.
Klay Kubiak, San Francisco 49ers - Offensive Coordinator
Then there’s Klay Kubiak. Making something from nothing may not sound glamorous, but it’s a necessary skill in Pittsburgh right now. Without Brandon Aiyuk, Kubiak still helped Brock Purdy finish third in QBR (72.6) and guided San Francisco back to the postseason. With the Steelers’ quarterback situation unsettled, that adaptability is appealing.
The Steelers have also requested interviews with Jesse Minter, Anthony Weaver, and Jeff Hafley—worthy candidates, but perhaps not as transformative as the others. Art Rooney II has said he expects the team to “compete,” even amid an unavoidable rebuild. That statement could feel concerning, but this search suggests something different. It suggests innovation.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving on from the Mike Tomlin era. And so, the progress is promising.