The Pittsburgh Steelers have now completed four virtual interviews with one more scheduled Sunday according to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. They will have met with five candidates by the end of the day.
In addition to Nate Scheelhaase and Chris Shula’s known interviews completed on Friday, DeFabo reports they have already interviewed Green Bay Packers DC Jeff Hafley and Miami Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver. San Francisco 49ers OC Klay Kubiak has a virtual interview scheduled Sunday.
“The Steelers have requested interviews with eight known candidates, league sources told The Athletic,” DeFabo wrote. “Klay Kubiak’s initial (virtual) interview is scheduled for Sunday. According to league sources, the Steelers have already held initial interviews with Anthony Weaver, Chris Shula, Nathan Scheelhaase, and Jeff Hafley.”
Brian Flores and Mike McCarthy are reportedly set to visit the Steelers this week, but did not need a virtual interview given the Steelers’ familiarity with both candidates.
Kubiak’s Sunday virtual meeting is made possible by the fact that his team lost to the Seattle Seahawks Saturday. Had they won, he would have been unavailable until the 49ers were eliminated. If they like him in the virtual interview, he would be eligible to come in for an in-person interview starting Monday.
Hafley is reportedly a top name for almost every head coach opening in the league right now, but his name has particularly been heating up with the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans. His connection to new Dolphins GM from their time together in Green Bay makes him a strong candidate for the Miami job. The Titans reportedly bumped their in-person interview with him up to make sure they can compete with the Dolphins. If the Steelers want an in-person with Hafley, that news should surface sooner rather than later.
Weaver also had interviews with the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals. The Falcons since hired Kevin Stefanski.
With the Divisional Round wrapping up this weekend, all candidates that aren’t on teams still alive in the playoffs are eligible to come for an in-person visit. That rule only has the potential to affect Shula and Scheelhaase, pending their Sunday night game against the Chicago Bears.
P-G’s Gerry Dulac also reported the expectation of three or four more names to be added to the candidate list. Since then, only McCarthy has been added. There could be some more names on the way at the top of the week.
Check out the original interview requests for an in-depth look at each candidates bio and resume:
– Anthony Weaver
– Jeff Hafley
– Klay Kubiak