Like many teams across the NFL right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of a head coaching search. After 19 seasons, Mike Tomlin parted ways with the franchise shortly after Pittsburgh’s Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.
Steelers football and head coaching searches typically don’t go hand in hand. Since 1969, the franchise has had just three head coaches — Tomlin, Bill Cowher and Chuck Knoll — all of whom won Super Bowls.
That history sets a nearly impossible standard for any candidate hoping to follow them. Still, Pittsburgh has been active and methodical in its early search.
“GM Omar Khan, like a lot of GMs, had a list ready, in the case Mike Tomlin walked away,” SI’s Albert Breer said. “So, yes, there was to a large degree an outline for the search already written. That said, remember the Mike Tomlin hire in 2007 — which Khan was around for — came out of nowhere, and it was because the Steelers were committed to a full process.
“Based on how that worked out, I think it’s fair to say they’ll give this search its time.”
That patience, however, hasn’t stopped speculation that
Pittsburgh could once again surprise everyone.
Steelers Could Be Interested in Top ACC Coach
During a recent episode of “The Best Football Show” podcast, Brian Baldinger suggested the Steelers may have interest in Mario Cristobal.
“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 said. “I think Mario Cristobal actually would really translate 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.”
Baldinger didn’t cite specific sources, but Cristobal’s name surfacing in NFL circles isn’t entirely surprising.
The Miami Hurricanes are coming off their best season in 23 years, finishing as runners-up to the College Football Playoff national champion Indiana Hoosiers. It marked Year 4 under Cristobal, who is now 35-19 at Miami with back-to-back 10-win seasons.
Still, this is the first time Cristobal’s name has been seriously connected to an NFL job, and he has never publicly indicated interest in making the jump.
Would Mario Cristobal Really Leave Miami?
Miami is Cristobal’s alma mater, and he left his previous job at Oregon Ducks specifically to return home. Cristobal has been open about why the move mattered so deeply to him.
“Miami had completely abandoned ship, and let’s call it what it is, man,” Cristobal told Pat McAfee. “I couldn’t go to the grave without Miami being Miami again. That’s the bottom line, and that’s why I came back.”
Given that context, the likelihood of Cristobal leaving Miami for the NFL appears low. Still, there is an interesting wrinkle: Cristobal and his brother grew up as “die-hard” Steelers fans.
Whether that connection means anything in Pittsburgh’s search remains to be seen, but if nothing else, it adds another unexpected layer to a head coaching process the Steelers rarely find themselves navigating.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Steelers Could Be Eyeing Surprise Coaching Option After CFP Run appeared first on Heavy Sports.