The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering unfamiliar territory. For the first time in nearly two decades, they’re searching for a new head coach. After a tough 30-6 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, Mike Tomlin stepped down, closing the book on a remarkable 19-year run that defined an era in Pittsburgh.
Now, the franchise turns the page-and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This is a team that values stability and tradition, but also knows it needs fresh energy to compete in a rapidly evolving league.
The search is on, and the Steelers are casting a wide net, with several names already in the conversation. Among them: Klay Kubiak, the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator.
According to reports, Pittsburgh has officially requested to interview Kubiak for the head coaching vacancy, making them the first team to express interest in hiring him for a top job. And while the name might ring a bell-yes, he’s the son of Super Bowl-winning coach Gary Kubiak-Klay is carving out his own path, and fast.
At 37, Kubiak has steadily risen through the 49ers' coaching ranks, and his résumé is starting to turn heads. He joined San Francisco in 2021 as a defensive quality control coach-an entry-level role on the defensive side of the ball.
But his trajectory shifted quickly. By 2022, he was working with quarterbacks as an assistant, a position he held for two seasons.
In 2024, he took on the role of offensive passing game specialist, and just a year later, he was promoted to offensive coordinator.
That 2025 season? It told us a lot about Kubiak’s potential.
Despite dealing with significant injuries-most notably to quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk-Kubiak’s offense didn’t just hold the line; it produced. San Francisco finished in the top 10 in both total yards per game (351.4) and points per game (25.7). Even more impressive, they cracked the top five in passing yards per game (244.5), a testament to Kubiak’s ability to adapt and scheme around adversity.
That kind of flexibility matters-especially in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are a franchise built on defense and identity, but they’ve also struggled to keep pace offensively in recent years. If they’re considering Kubiak, it’s likely because they see someone who can bring modern offensive concepts to a team that’s long been searching for a spark on that side of the ball.
Of course, Kubiak’s coaching bloodline will draw attention, but this interest from the Steelers is about more than just legacy. It’s about results.
It’s about resilience. And it’s about potential.
Pittsburgh’s next head coach will have big shoes to fill. Mike Tomlin wasn’t just a steady hand-he was a symbol of consistency in a league that rarely offers it. Whoever steps in next will need to command respect, connect with players, and most importantly, win.
Klay Kubiak may not be the most experienced candidate in the pool, but he’s earned his shot at the conversation. And for a franchise that’s seen what long-term coaching success looks like, they just might see something in Kubiak that reminds them of how it all started nearly 20 years ago.