We now have a pretty good idea who the Steelers head coaching candidates are. There are eight confirmed candidates as of now, with the possibility of adding one or two more names in the future. There are some names we really like here at Steelers Sanctuary, and some not so much. Let’s rank the the eight candidates from worst to first:
8. Anthony Weaver – DC Miami Dolphins:
Anthony Weaver was the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator in 2025. In his only season as a coordinator, Weaver’s defense did not exactly stand out. The Dolphins were 26th in yards allowed, and 25th in points per game in 2025. Weaver made his bones ass the Ravens defensive line coach from 2021-2023. He parlayed the success of those defenses to a coordinator job under Mike McDaniel. If we’re being honest, those Ravens defenses were led by some extremely talented coordinators in Wink Martindale, and Mike McDonald. Anthony Weaver did his part too, but it seems like a stretch that he should be interviewing for head coaching head coaching jobs with this limited resume.
7. Mike McCarthy –
We all know who Mike McCarthy is, and what he brings to the table. The former Packers and Cowboys coach can still be considered a good offensive mind in this league. McCarthy has three strikes against him however when it comes to who the Steelers have historically hired. He is 62 years old, he is a retread, and his specialty is on the offensive side of the football. Pretty much the exact opposite of what the Steelers head coaching candidates in the past have had going for them. This is more likely Art Rooney II throwing a bone to a native Pittsburgh born coach.
6. Eljiro Evero – DC Carolina Panthers:
Eljiro Evero has been the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers since 2023. The Panthers defensive were almost exactly middle of the pack in both yards, and points per game in the NFL in 2025. This is his second stint as defensive coordinator having held that position in Denver in 2022. He does have the Sean Mcvay tree in his background having worked in Los Angeles from 2017 to 2021. Nothing really stands out about Evero in his coaching career to make him an exciting candidate for the Steelers job. Evero has to be considered a long shot to land the job at this point.
5. Jesse Minter – DC Los Angeles Chargers:
Jesse Minter has been working with a Harbaugh pretty much since 2017. He held various roles on the defensive side with the Ravens until 2022. Minter was then named the Michigan defensive coordinator in 2022 after a brief stint as Vanderbilt’s DC. From there he would follow Jim Harbaugh to Los Angeles to become the Chargers defensive coordinator. He led the Chargers defense to top ten finishes in yards per game, and points per game this season. Overall Minter has paid his dues, and been a successful defensive coach. Not the most overwhelmingly exciting choice, but a solid candidate nonetheless.
4. Klay Kubiak – OC San Fransisco 49ers:
Kubiak has climbed the ladder in the 49ers offensive coaching rankings to now becoming the current offensive coordinator under Kyle Shanahan. That in and of itself makes him a worthy candidate for any head coaching job. He is also the son of former Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak.
We all know how good the offenses are in San Francisco. The one push back I would have here is it seems like Kyle Shanahan calls most, if not all the plays in San Francisco. Having said that, having a disciple of his is still extremely attractive.
3. Brian Flores – DC Minnesota Vikings:
We all are very familiar with the Brian Flores here in Pittsburgh. Flores spent one year here are a special defensive assistant in 2024. He is coming off an extremely impressive season as the Vikings defensive coordinator. This should be a slam dunk, no brainer decision for the Steelers. There is however still the stink of a very rocky stint as head coach of the Miami Dolphins in his past. Many have reported that Flores is not well like in coaching circles after the way he treated his coaching staff in Miami.
This still could end up being an excellent hire for the Steelers. Omar Khan would need to insist in the choosing of the right OC to pair with Flores. Still not crazy about hiring another defensive coach in this era of the NFL, but if they do Flores is an excellent choice.
2. Chris Shula – DC Los Angeles Rams:
Chris Shula has been with the Rams since 2017. He worked his way up the ranks to becoming Sean McVay’s defensive coordinator in 2024. The Rams defense was top ten in points per game, and 14th in yards per game this season. The family bloodlines are an obvious attraction for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In case you haven’t heard, Shula is the grandson of Dolphins great Don Shula. With all that going for him, Chris Shula seems to be the odds on favorite to be the next Pittsburgh Steelers head coach.
1. Nathan Scheelhaase – Passing game coordinator Los Angeles Rams:
Nathan Scheelhaase is the current passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. That is an important distinction considering who else has held that title under Sean McVay in the past. Names like Liam Coen, Zac Robinson, and Zac Taylor have all held the job of passing game coordinator for the Rams. Sean Mcvay is unrivaled in his eye for coaching talent. Anyone who works for him goes directly to the top of the line for head coaching consideration.
Is Nathan Scheelhaase the next great offensive mind to come out of that position? If I’m the Steelers I’d be willing to bet it all on that. In our opinion this is far and away the best candidate to be the next Steelers head coach. It is more likely that Scheelhaase comes as a package deal with Chris Shula to be the team’s offensive coordinator. Don’t rule out the Steelers doing something out of the box by making Scheelhaase the head coach. No one saw Mike Tomlin coming until it happened.
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