The Pittsburgh Steelers’ longtime Head Coach Mike Tomlin revealed he will be stepping away from coaching the team after 19 seasons, ending an era of stability and success in Pittsburgh. Now, Steelers President Art Rooney II faces the critical task of finding the next head coach. A task that carries a ton of pressure considering the franchises storied history.
AP Photo / Michael Conroy
Steelers Owner and Team President Art Rooney II (left) and former Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) oversee a practice session during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh,PA.
Since 1969, the Steelers have had only three head coaches: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, Tomlin, and all three have guided the team to Super Bowl glory. That legacy adds weight to Rooney’s decision, as fans grow increasingly frustrated with seeing the team fall short in the playoffs in recent years. The next hire will not only need to maintain the culture of excellence but also reinvigorate a fan base eager for postseason victories.
On Wednesday, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers’ first known head coaching interview request is for Los Angeles Rams Passing Game Coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, according to sources.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers first known head coach interview request is for Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, per source," Schefter said. "Baltimore, Cleveland and Las Vegas also have requested interviews with him during this hiring cycle."
Moments later, Schefter added that the team also plans to interview the Rams’ Defensive Coordinator, Chris Shula. Both candidates bring strong NFL experience, but Rooney’s choice will be scrutinized heavily, as the next head coach will be expected to lead the franchise back to championship contention.
Make it a pair of Rams coordinators for the Steelers, who also have requested a head coach interview with LA’s defensive coordinator Chris Shula, per source. https://t.co/CffXiwCmMk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2026
As the search continues, Steelers fans and analysts alike are watching closely, aware that the next hire could shape the team’s future for decades to come. With the franchise’s rare history of long-tenured, Super Bowl-winning coaches, the stakes have never been higher.
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Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula roam on the sideline while coaching his unit during a regular season game in the 2025 NFL season.
The fact that the Steelers are requesting interviews with both of these candidates is exciting for Steeler Nation. Anytime you consider someone from the Sean McVay coaching tree, it signals a potentially fruitful move. Scheelhaase has emerged as a rising star on the offensive side of the ball, helping craft the NFL’s top passing attack with the Rams, though it does not hurt to have a quarterback like Matthew Stafford.
While Scheelhaase is widely seen as an offensive genius, Shula represents the other side of the ball, a defensive mastermind. An aggressive play-caller, Shula has quickly made a name for himself as a rising star in the NFL, bringing energy and innovation to the defensive side of the game. In an ideal scenario, the Steelers could hire Shula as head coach and bring in Scheelhaase as offensive coordinator, but that may be more wishful thinking than reality.
The Steelers also submitted a request to interview Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver.
The Steelers have submitted an interview request for Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, per source.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 14, 2026
Weaver, who faced the Steelers for years as a player and a coach for the Ravens, has a chance to become the next leader in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Offer Something For Head Coaches That No Other NFL Team Can
Both candidates are strong and bring unique strengths to the table. Coaching in Pittsburgh has always been challenging, but it also comes with a level of stability and support that few franchises can offer.
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Steelers star edge rusher TJ Watt (90) stands on the field with some of his defensive teammates as the group works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
For a team with the Steelers’ history and expectations, finding the right balance between offensive innovation and defensive toughness will be key, and both Scheelhaase and Shula offer exciting possibilities for the next chapter of Steelers football.
Steelers fans are already getting excited about the thought of Shula and TJ Watt working together. Now they watch and wait to see what happens.
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