THE Pittsburgh Steelers are on the hunt for a new head coach after Mike Tomlin Stepped down.

It is the first time since 2007 that the Steelers are looking for a new head coach.

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Mike Tomlin stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh SteelersCredit: Reuters

Tomlin leaves behind a coveted head coaching positionCredit: AP

The Steelers have a reputation of nailing their head coaching hires, and will aim to find another head coach to spend nearly two decades at the helm of the team.

Pittsburgh is instantly one of, if not the top head coach opening in the NFL right now — and available options will be changing their plans with the job now open.

There are plenty of great candidates that are expected to interview for openings this offseason that the Steelers will immediately begin to vet.

Some rival head coachers were also fired this offseason and are expected to get new jobs in 2026, maybe one of them landing at the Steelers.

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Pittsburgh has plenty of work to do over the coming weeks, but here is an early indication of who is at the top of the Steelers’ wish list going into the hiring process:

JOHN HARBAUGH – FREE AGENT

John Harbaugh was fired by the Baltimore Ravens after the regular seasonCredit: AP

John Harbaugh is the top coaching candidate for nearly every team right now.

After 18 seasons, the Baltimore Ravens decided to make a change.

What is their loss will end up being another team’s gain, but Harbaugh is being very particular about where he will sign.

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The New York Giants and Tennessee Titans were seen as frontrunners before the Steelers job became available.

With Pittsburgh now an option, it is almost an inevitability that Harbaugh will at least have a conversation with the team.

BRIAN FLORES – VIKINGS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Brian Flores has served as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator for three seasonsCredit: Getty

Brian Flores is getting a lot of hype this year as a top coaching candidate.

There is still a bit of a sour taste in plenty of team’s mouths after his rocky exit from the Miami Dolphins following the 2021 season, but Flores has proven to be one of the greatest defensive minds in the league.

Flores also has experience with the Steelers already.

They were the first team to give him a shot after the Dolphins fired him in 2022.

Flores served as the Steelers’ linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant before moving on to become the Minnesota Vikings‘ defensive coordinator in 2023.

He certainly has the coaching talents to become a head coach, it is just a matter of whether or not Flores’ reputation has recovered since the Dolphins debacle.

If it has, he will likely get a head coaching job this year, and the Steelers are a top option.

CHRIS SHULA – RAMS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Chris Shula is an up-and-coming assistant coach in the NFLCredit: AP

Chris Shula is a fast-rising assistant coach in the NFL, and will likely end up getting his first head coaching opportunity this year.

The Steelers potentially hiring Shula feels reminiscent of the team hiring Mike Tomlin back in 2007.

Both were relatively unknown assistants that rose through the ranks at a young age.

Tomlin was hired at 35 years old, Shula would be hired at 40 years old.

On top of his prowess as a defensive coordinator — leading one of the NFL’s top defensive units at the Los Angeles Rams — he is also the grandson of legendary Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula.

Shula has NFL greatness in his blood, but now has the chance to create his own legacy in the league.

KEVIN STEFANSKI – FREE AGENT

Kevin Stefanski is expected to be the top coaching option after HarbaughCredit: AP

Kevin Stefanksi has coached against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the last six seasons, but could make a jump into their coaching staff this offseason.

The former Cleveland Browns head coach is seen as one of the top head coaching candidates this cycle, only behind Harbaugh.

While Stefanski coached some truly awful Browns teams, it’s hard to place too much blame on him with how incompetent the team’s front office is.

On top of that, Stefanski made the playoffs twice AND won a playoff game with the Browns.

He is a two-time coach of the year and a proven coaching talent, and any team that gets him will likely be thrilled with their decision.

ROBERT SALEH – 49ERS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Robert Saleh is expected to get his second chance at being a head coach this offseasonCredit: Getty

It would be easy to discount Robert Saleh for his disaster New York Jets tenure.

He spent just over three years with the Jets, being fired after a 2-3 start in 2024.

In his tenure with the team, Saleh coached to a 20-36 record, with his best record in any season being 7-10.

However, he never had a great team around him, as the Jets are certainly the worst managed organization in all of football, and maybe all of sports.

Saleh’s defense in San Francisco this year has been spectacular even though it has been ravaged by injuries.

Once the 49ers’ playoff run ends, he will almost certainly get a second chance to become a head coach, and he will almost certainly be successful.