Steelers’ Coaching Search Hits Pause Button as Rams Advance to NFC Title Game
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coaching search just hit a temporary speed bump - and it’s coming courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams.
With the Rams pulling off a 20-17 overtime win over the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Round, their playoff run lives on, which means the Steelers will have to wait a bit longer to get face time with two of their top coaching candidates: Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula and pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
Both coaches have already gone through virtual interviews with Pittsburgh, but league rules prevent in-person interviews with assistants still active in the postseason. So with the Rams now preparing for an NFC Championship showdown against the Seattle Seahawks, the Steelers won’t be able to bring Shula and Scheelhaase to town until at least next Monday - the window between the conference title games and the Super Bowl.
Had the Rams lost to the Bears, Pittsburgh would’ve been free to schedule in-person interviews with both coaches as early as this week. Instead, the team will continue working through its list of nine candidates, a group that includes some intriguing names from across the league.
So far, the Steelers have already conducted virtual interviews with Shula, Scheelhaase, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. All five remain in the mix, and Pittsburgh has the option to bring Hafley, Minter, and Kubiak in for second-round, in-person interviews this week if it chooses.
The team also has in-person interviews lined up with former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, as well as Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Flores, notably, will help the Steelers meet the Rooney Rule requirement of interviewing at least two minority candidates in person.
As for Shula, he’s reportedly the frontrunner for the job - and it’s hard to imagine team president Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan making a final call without sitting down with him face-to-face. But for now, they’ll have to wait and see how long the Rams’ postseason run continues.
In the meantime, the Steelers are doing their due diligence, casting a wide net and keeping their options open. The process may have hit a delay, but the search is far from stalled - and the next Steelers head coach could very well be coaching in the NFC Championship Game this weekend.