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3 must-hire head coach candidates for Steelers
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- 3 must-hire head coach candidates for Steelers
Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers and left the organization with a tough decision to make — finding a successor who can keep the Steel City brand of football competitive.
From a wrongfully terminated coach to a duo of defensive coordinators, here's a look at three head coaches the Steelers can't pass up.
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Ex- Buffalo Bills HC Sean McDermott
Sep 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott following a win over the New Orleans Saints at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
McDermott is arguably the best head coach option available — and the Steelers need to pay close attention. Some heavily criticized the Bills for firing McDermott, who was fresh off leading Buffalo to an impressive 12–5 regular-season finish, along with a Wild Card playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars . And while Pittsburgh has yet to show any interest in McDermott, there's still plenty of time remaining in their search to replace Tomlin.
Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
A former Steelers coach who's found tremendous success in creating one of the league's top defenses in 2025 — Flores is the only candidate on this list to have an in-person interview and should be viewed as the favorite to land the job, and for good reason.
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Los Angeles Rams DC Chris Shula
A young, bright defensive mind and grandson of the legendary Don Shula, Chris Shula led the Rams defense to a No. 5 ranking in takeaways and a No. 10 ranking in points allowed. With a proven track record of developing young talent and the ability to get the most out of his defenses, Shula is a candidate that any team in need of a head coach would be lucky to have.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' best head coach candidates to replace Mike Tomlin
