First Steelers New Head Coach Candidates Identified

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers wasted no time Wednesday in beginning their pursuit of a successor to former head coach Mike Tomlin.

While owner Art Rooney II was holding a news conference to discuss Tomlin's departure on Tuesday after 19 seasons at the helm of the team, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the team already is planning interviews with three head coaching candidates.

According to Schefter, the Steelers have asked permission to talk to two Los Angeles Rams assistants: passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and defensive coordinator Chris Shula. They also have asked the Minnesota Vikings for permission to talk to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who served as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the Steelers in 2022.

Rooney said Tomlin informed him that he would be stepping down during a 15-or-20 minute discussion on Tuesday, hours after the Steelers lost to the Houston Texans 30-6 in an AFC Wild Card playoff game.

"It was an emotional day for everybody in our organization yesterday. Mike has been a great leader of our organization for 19 years," Rooney said. "The values of our organization. I think you all know his many accomplishments, two Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl victory, many AFC North titles, and many, many wins."

Rooney said Tomlin's departure "was his decision alone."

"I will say that I wasn't shocked, but I wasn't expecting that conversation yesterday either," he said. "When you get to this stage of a career, obviously he even mentioned it himself that he was nearer to the end than at the beginning, so you could see that coming."

Rooney said that he and general manager Omar Khan will lead the search for the new coach, although others in the organization will have input.