Steelers Get Revealing Update On Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti's Potential To Coach In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers now need a new head coach. During the 2025 season and even in the years prior, there was plenty of noise from insiders around the Steel City that the Mike Tomlin era might be nearing its end. Many fans called for Tomlin to be fired, yet he once again delivered results in the regular season, guiding the team to a 10-7 record and an AFC North title. However, the postseason ended in familiar fashion with a 24-point blowout loss, and that disappointment ultimately led Tomlin to elect to step away from coaching, leaving Pittsburgh searching for just its fourth head coach since 1969.

Among the potential candidates, one prominent college football name surfaced on Thursday. Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mario Cristobal is reportedly generating interest within the Steelers organization. While that possibility may not excite a large portion of the fan base, it underscores the wide-ranging nature of Pittsburgh’s search. At the same time, some fans have expressed curiosity about Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti and whether he might draw interest from the Steelers or other NFL teams with vacancies.

On Thursday, NFL insider Adam Schefter discussed the situation on the 97.1 The Fan Ohio’s Sports Destination podcast, sharing what he has heard about Pittsburgh, the broader NFL landscape, and Cignetti’s growing reputation. In just a few short years, Cignetti’s rise has been remarkable, going from coaching at the Division II level to transforming the Hoosiers into a National Championship powerhouse. 

That rapid ascent has naturally sparked questions about whether his success could translate to the professional level and whether Pittsburgh might eventually view him as a serious option in its search for the next leader of one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.

"I don't think he got any," Schefter said while speaking on the podcast. "He might've gotten one. Let's put it this way: I've spoken to teams. I've brought up the name, and there was no traction. That doesn't mean one of them couldn't have reached out. They could have. But I never sensed that it was ever going to advance anywhere."

Schefter is as plugged in as anyone in the NFL world, and he said he has not heard much of anything about Cignetti’s name circulating in NFL circles. He did mention that one team may have reached out, but offered no specifics. It would be interesting to learn which team that was, and there is a slight possibility it could have been the Steelers. 

Either way, it does not sound like Cignetti is going to be mentioned seriously in connection with any NFL head coaching jobs, at least during this hiring cycle.

Steelers Fans Get Clarity On Curt Cignetti

What Cignetti has been able to do at Indiana in such a short time is remarkable. Still, there is always concern when a college coach is asked to make the difficult transition to the NFL. Cignetti turned the Hoosiers from a laughingstock into a powerhouse in a brief period, which speaks volumes about his ability as a program builder.

Even if NFL teams were interested, there is no guarantee he would leave his strong contract and the opportunity to build something special at Indiana. The chance to become the face of a franchise like the Steelers would always be intriguing, but for now, Steelers fans at least have clarity on Cignetti’s status within the NFL coaching landscape.

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