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Although the hiring of Mike McCarthy as the newest head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers bucked a trend the franchise has followed through its most successful years (adding young talent at the position) and riled the fanbase, the Steelers organization feels confident he is the man for the job. Selling that emotional commitment to Steelers Nation will be a challenge, but one that could win fans over if McCarthy selects quality coordinators to surround himself with that keeps Pittsburgh not only competitive but successful in getting back to championship-caliber football.
There are several names that are reportedly in contention – a list of candidates that have live betting sites stacking odds – and we look at those who could fit in well with the franchise’s historical culture and an evolving National Football League.
The Steelers’ offense has been one of the areas the organization – from ownership to coaching staff to players – that has been a focal point since Ben Roethlisberger hung up his cleats after the 2021 NFL season.
With several quarterbacks having entered and exited through the system, the team needs some consistency on offense. President Art Rooney II said that McCarthy’s history of working with quarterbacks was a plus in his favor and added, “He’s in the process right now of trying to hire a staff.”
“It’s not an easy task, because some of the people he’d like to hire are under contract to other teams, and so we’ve got to get permission to talk to them. But just in general, the people he had targeted for key positions – offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and those kinds of things – we were very comfortable with the discussion around that.”
There are a few individuals who stand out as candidates for the offensive coordinator position in place of departed Arthur Smith who have ties to McCarthy’s system.
Nate Scheelhaase, the Los Angeles Rams’ Passing Game Coordinator, is viewed as a top, up-and-coming candidate with strong, fresh offensive ideas to pair with McCarthy. With the Rams now eliminated from Super Bowl contention, an opportunity to have a meeting with McCarthy opens up. Scheelhaase has experience working with skill players – namely quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers – all positions the Steelers need to develop consistency in moving forward.
Alex Van Pelt, who is the current senior offensive assistant with the Los Angeles Rams is a veteran, experienced coach who has spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots. He has familiarity with McCarthy’s approach and could offer offensive stability.
Luke Getsy, a senior assistant for the Green Bay Packers who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears (2022-2023) and for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, has local roots, but brings a mixed bag of results.
Chase Haslett, tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints who previously served as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys is considered a young, rising coach with ties to McCarthy. He has yet to climb the ladder to offensive coordinator, though, and could be a longshot.
Eddie Faulkner, the Steelers’ running backs coach, is supported by his current cast of players, including Jaylen Warren who posted on X that the Steelers need to retain him. As an internal option, Faulkner would provide continuity, but it is unknown if he would be elevated to a higher role.
It isn’t a widely-held belief that Teryl Austin will be retained by McCarthy and the Steelers. Although the organization has not made any announcements, Austin did recently interview with the Washington Commanders which signals he may be headed elsewhere in the league.
The top candidates for the position have less to do with ties to McCarthy and more to how they could use current defensive talent on the Steelers roster and improve the defense overall.
Anthony Weaver, currently the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, is a popular candidate for several NFL head coaching vacancies during the current hiring cycle, having interviewed with the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He could consider taking the coordinator position in Pittsburgh as an alternative.
Jim Schwartz, the current defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, is considered by many NFL analysts to be a slam dunk veteran hire if he were to consider the position. As a former head coach of the Detroit Lions (2009-2013), defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans (2001-2008), Buffalo Bills (2014), and Philadelphia Eagles (2016-2020), as well as Senior Defensive Assistant with the Titans (2021-2022) Schwartz has Super Bowl experience that could help Pittsburgh push for a championship.
Chris Shula, current defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, has already interviewed with the Steelers. Although he is likely still taking interest from other teams as a head coach candidate, his scheme would give Pittsburgh a lift in competitiveness.
Regardless of who is hired – including other assistants and special teams coordinator – the weight rests on McCarthy. To gain the trust of the organization and win over the fanbase, he will need to find highly qualified and competent staff to surround himself with. And, as head coach, he’ll need to work hand-in-hand with the organization (including Rooney and GM Omar Khan) to bud a roster that buys into his system.
Steelers Nation has high expectations for their team. McCarthy will be under the microscope until he finds a way to make the Pittsburgh Steelers a perennial Super Bowl level team once again, realistic or not. An already dissatisfied fanbase is likely to change boos to cheers if he manages to get the Steelers to the next level quickly.
