Steelers’ Art Rooney II May Shock Fans With Blank Checks For The Coaching Staff Extremely Soon

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been very patient with their search for the franchise's fourth head coach since 1969. The team has brought in multiple candidates already, and are looking to bring in even more throughout the coming weeks. The Steelers have taken a close look at each candidate they've interviewed, as they're hopeful that just like former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before them, the new candidate can come in and immediately begin winning. It only took Tomlin two years to reach and win the Super Bowl, and while the Steelers leadership may not have the expectations of reaching the Super Bowl for the new head coach right away, they will at least want to go out and win.

One overlooked detail among the search for the next head coach is that once they arrive, they'll need to set up their staff, which would primarily include an offensive and defensive coordinator. The other major question that has to be asked, is how will Steelers President Art Rooney II react to the new head coach potentially wanting to bring in big names to be part of their staff and will he actively support them with this endeavor?

A potential answer to that question came late Thursday evening when Ray Fittipaldo made an appearance on 93.7 The Fan to talk about the recent news as it pertains to the Steelers. One of the questions he was asked relates to how the Steelers' leadership will ultimately support the new head coach, and Fittipaldo's answer will shock some, while please others.

"I think you have to give this guy all the ammunition he needs to get the program going in the direction he wants it to go," Fittipaldo said. "But I will point this out, guys. When Mike Munchak was on the staff, he was paid very well. They have paid other guys very well over the years to be coordinators. When there's a guy out there that Mike [Tomlin] wanted in the past, they found a way to make it happen. Yeah, this coaching staff isn't as big as the others, but I think if the new coach wants something like that, I don't think Art [Rooney II] would say no there, I think he would let him build his coaching staff how he wishes."

This is a great sign for whoever would want to become the next head coach of the Steelers. Being able to bring in their own staff is a huge benefit, rather than relying on the current leadership to provide them with staff from the former coaching staff. Seeing as the Steelers have already told the former coaching staff that they'll need to look elsewhere for jobs following Tomlin's departure, there's already a clear sign that they won't be bringing many coaches back at the last possible second. Whoever the Steelers choose as their next head coach will have free reign to take whoever he wants, and Rooney II seems determined to let this be without exception.

There are plenty of head coach candidates who will not be selected by teams, and yet get looks as offensive and defensive coordinators due to their value at those positions. Some of these candidates will be big names, and thankfully, Fittipaldo believes Rooney II will allow the new Steelers head coach to fill their staff with one of those big names, regardless of potential salary. Nonetheless, with how the Steelers have taken the patient approach to the head-coaching search, it will need to continue with the coordinators.

Steelers Have Plentiful Options At Coordinator After Hiring Head Coach

With how the Steelers have primarily had discussions centered around Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula and Rams Pass Game Coordinator Nate Scheelhaase as their potential head coach, it leaves a rather extensive pool of candidates that either of them could add to their staff. Even so, the Steelers will need to continue the patient approach, to ensure the team makes the right choice in the end.

What did you think about Fittipaldo's comments? Let us know in the comments below.

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