The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing their homework on potential additions to their coaching staff, and one name that’s caught their attention is C.J. Ah You.
The Texas Tech outside linebackers coach recently interviewed for Pittsburgh’s open OLB coaching position, according to multiple reports. And he’s not just a one-team candidate - the Dallas Cowboys have also brought him in for a look at the same role.
Ah You’s name is gaining traction for good reason. He’s been instrumental in the development of top-tier talent at Texas Tech, including draft prospects David Bailey and Romello Height. That kind of résumé tends to turn heads at the NFL level, especially for teams looking to boost their pass rush and edge development.
A former defensive end himself, Ah You knows what it takes to play in the league. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and suited up for the Rams and Bills through the 2011 season.
After hanging up the cleats, he transitioned into coaching, starting as a special teams assistant at Oklahoma in 2015. From there, it’s been a steady climb.
Ah You’s coaching journey has taken him through a variety of roles - defensive line coach at Vanderbilt, quality control analyst at USC, and most recently, outside linebackers coach at Texas Tech since 2022. Along the way, he’s built a reputation for developing NFL-caliber defenders and bringing intensity and detail to his position groups.
What makes his candidacy interesting is that he doesn’t have direct ties to Mike McCarthy in Dallas, which suggests that if the Cowboys were to hire him, it would be a move based purely on merit and performance rather than familiarity - something that often speaks volumes in the coaching world.
Whether it’s Pittsburgh or Dallas, it feels like Ah You is on the verge of making the leap to the NFL coaching ranks. His track record of player development and his own experience in the league make him a compelling option for teams looking to sharpen their edge - literally and figuratively.