Steelers Considering A Surprising Candidate To Replace Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for a fresh change after parting ways with Mike Tomlin, who led the team for nineteen seasons.

Steelers Considering A Surprising Candidate To Replace Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin, Mario Cristobal (Images via Getty Images)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers require a new head coach after parting ways with Mike Tomlin after nineteen seasons. After a long, illustrious career left behind by Tomlin, the sporting world is all eyes on the Steelers to see who they will bring in to replace Tomlin.

The Steelers have considered many different possibilities in the last few weeks, including former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. They had also been strongly associated with three defensive coordinators: Minnesota Vikings’ Brian Flores, Los Angeles Rams’ Chris Shula, and Los Angeles Chargers’ Jesse Minter, before he took over in Baltimore. However, a surprising candidate is emerging in the midst of the bigwigs: the University of Miami’s Mario Cristobal.

Brian Baldinger, a former NFL offensive lineman, claimed on his podcast Best Football Show that the Steelers are “very interested” in Cristobal. He said:

Not out here trying to play reporter or doing any of that nonsense, but I hear the Steelers are very interested in Mario Cristobal, the coach at the University of Miami.

Baldinger also heaped praise on the 55-year-old Floridian. He added:

I think Mario Cristobal actually would really translate well to the NFL. I watched his practice in the spring. The way that Mario coached that team reminded me of what old-school coaches used to do.

If anything, Baldinger throwing out Cristobal’s name was like Ron Funches bringing the receipts on Porsha Williams at the first round table of the latest Traitors season. Cristobal hasn’t generated any buzz about a possible upgrade from the collegiate level to coaching an NFL team. However, his overall records in Oregon and Miami has put him among the top head coaches in the NCAA.

Cristobal, an alumnus of the University of Miami, started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Hurricanes. His first head coaching gig was with the FIU Panthers before joining the Oregon Ducks. When he moved back to his alma mater in 2022, he finished his Ducks’ tenure with a 35-13 record.

Cristobal, a die-hard Steelers fan in his childhood, has continued with consistency with the Hurricanes, keeping a 35-19 record while also helping the Canes reach their first championship final in 2025.

Who are the strong frontrunners in Steelers’ quest for their Tomlin-replacement

The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking some time to analyze and assess their new head coach. It seems like the Steelers would not be announcing a new man in Pittsburgh this week.

Chris Shula
Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator Chris Shula (Image via Bleacher Report)

As it stands, the top three names in Pittsburgh are Mike McCarthy, Chris Shula, and Brian Flores. Mike McCarthy has more experience compared to the other two, including a trip to the Super Bowl with none other than the Steelers’ current starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Though not everyone is fond of this idea. He could be a safe option for the team after Tomlin’s 19-season-long tenure. McCarthy has only five losing seasons out of a total of 18 years.

Additionally, the Steelers’ general manager Omar Khan, assistant general manager Andy Weidl, and McCarthy share a connection during their time in New Orleans. Onto Flores, he was the top runner before falling behind in the process. Chris Shula, as the grandson of Don Shula, who coached for more than 32 years in the league, has a higher alignment with what the Steelers are looking for.

As recent reports, the Steelers management were very well taken with Shula in the virtual interview and should be conducting an in-person interview as soon as his window opens. The Rams are currently scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship this week.

Now, Shula isn’t the only one they are waiting for in the Rams’ management. Nathan Scheelhaase, the Rams’ passing game coordinator, has also been on the Steelers’ radar. Scheelhaase, 35, has played an equally important role in transforming the Rams into a fearsome offensive unit.

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