Klay Kubiak Withdraws from Steelers’ Head Coach Search, Opts to Stay with 49ers
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching search took a turn over the weekend, as one of their top targets is officially off the board. San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak has decided to stay put in the Bay Area, choosing continuity with Kyle Shanahan over a potential head coaching leap.
Both the Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders had requested interviews with Kubiak, and Pittsburgh had already conducted a virtual meeting with him last Sunday. But as reported Saturday, Kubiak has removed himself from consideration for any head coaching vacancies, signaling his commitment to the 49ers and the offensive system he’s helped build.
This marks a significant decision-not just for Kubiak, but for the Steelers as they continue their search to replace longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, whose storied tenure came to a close following a Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans earlier this month.
Kubiak’s Rapid Rise in San Francisco
Kubiak just wrapped up his fifth season with the 49ers and his first as offensive coordinator. His journey through the coaching ranks under Shanahan has been steady and diverse. He served as the team’s offensive passing game specialist last season, held the assistant quarterbacks coach role in 2022 and 2023, and even started on the defensive side as a quality control coach back in 2021.
That kind of versatility is no accident. Kubiak’s development within Shanahan’s system has mirrored the growth of the 49ers’ offense-an attack that finished the regular season ranked sixth in total yards per game (351.4), fifth in passing yards per game (244.5), and tenth in points per game (25.7). It’s a unit that’s both efficient and explosive, and Kubiak’s fingerprints are all over it.
He’s also played a key role in the continued emergence of quarterback Brock Purdy, who averaged 240.8 passing yards per game over nine starts this season. While Shanahan is the architect, Kubiak has been instrumental in refining the details-especially in the passing game.
A Coaching Tree That Keeps Growing
Kubiak’s decision to stay adds another branch to Kyle Shanahan’s ever-expanding coaching tree. Already, names like Mike McDaniel, DeMeco Ryans, and Robert Saleh have gone on to lead their own franchises after time under Shanahan. Ryans, in particular, made waves this postseason by coaching the Texans to a Wild Card win that ended Pittsburgh’s season-and Tomlin’s era.
Kubiak, the son of longtime NFL coach Gary Kubiak and brother of current Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, is clearly next in line. But for now, he’s choosing to keep building with what’s already working in San Francisco rather than jump into the head coaching spotlight.
What This Means for Pittsburgh
For the Steelers, this narrows the field in what’s shaping up to be one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent franchise history. With Tomlin stepping away and the team looking to retool after a playoff exit, the next head coach will inherit a roster with talent but also plenty of questions-especially at quarterback and on offense.
Kubiak’s decision to stay with the 49ers may be a setback, but it also underscores how attractive the San Francisco situation remains for young, ascending coaches. The Steelers will continue their search, likely focusing on candidates who bring a modern offensive vision to the table-something that’s become increasingly essential in today’s NFL.
As for Kubiak, his time is coming. But for now, he’s staying right where he is-helping guide one of the league’s most dangerous offenses deep into the postseason.