PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Heading into the first full week without a head coach in a couple decades, Steelers Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten confirms seven coaching interviews with in-person interviews to occur this week.
Five of the seven are defensive coordinators, all are under 46-years-old and one is now off the board with Miami reportedly hiring former Pitt assistant Jeff Hafley.
Chris Shula, 39
• Rams defensive coordinator, allowed 10th most points per game at 20.9, 20th in passing yards allowed, 12th in rushing yards allowed, 6th in interceptions (16)
• Had the 4th lowest paid defense in the NFL in 2025
• moved up from an assistant linebackers coach in 2017 through a series of jobs to DC in 2024
• A graduate assistant at Indiana and a 1-year defensive coordinator at John Carroll (2014), Shula started in the NFL with the Chargers in 2015 and is the grandson for Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula
Nate Scheelhaase, 35
• 1st season Rams passing game coordinator, was a Rams offensive assistant in 2024—among his fellow coaches, former Pitt quarterback Alex Van Pelt
• Spent the previous 6 seasons with current Penn State head coach Matt Campbell at Iowa State, his final season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His offense improved six points per game during his year as coordinator
• Worked in college with current 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy
• Quarterback at the University of Illinois, is the school’s all-time leader in total offense with 10,634 yards.
Jesse Minter, 42
• Chargers defensive coordinator and former Ravens defensive assistant from 2017-2020
• 8th in NFL in points allowed at 19.8 and 8th in rushing yards allowed, 4th in passing yards allowed, 3rd in interceptions (19), 10th in sacks (45)
• Had the second highest paid defense in the league, $2.4 million behind the Steelers
• Was the University of Michigan defensive coordinator for its 2023 national championship under Jim Harbaugh. Also worked with John Harbaugh, Brian Kelly and Charlie Weis
Jeff Hafley, 46 (REPORTEDLY HIRED BY MIAMI DOLPHINS)
• Packers defensive coordinator in 2025. Defense allowed 21.7 points per game (13th in NFL), allowed 29.3 points per game without injured All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons, 28th in interceptions (7), 20th in sacks, 18th in rushing yards allowed and 10th in passing yards allowed
• Former Boston College head coach, Ohio State co-defensive coordinator and Pitt assistant (under Dave Wannstedt) who left college to coach in the NFL. Previously coached defensive backs in NFL with Tampa Bay & Cleveland.
• Among the coaches he’s worked with Dave Wannstedt, Greg Schiano, Chip Kelly, Kyle Shanahan, Ryan Day, Mike LeFleur
• Hafley has had six coaching interviews and according to national reports has impressed in each one. He is scheduled to have a second interview with Miami this week
Ejiro Evero, 45
· 3rd season as Panthers defensive coordinator, 14th in passing yards allowed, 8th in NFL in interceptions (15), 20th in rushing yards allowed, 28th in sacks (30) in 2025. Carolina had the 10th highest-paid defense.
· Broncos defensive coordinator in 2022, previously the secondary coach & passing game coordinator along with the safeties coach with the Rams from 2017-2021 (worked with Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey). He also worked with the Packers, 49ers and Bucs. He has coached under, among others, Jon Gruden, Jim Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, Sean McVay, Frank Reich and Raheem Morris.
Anthony Weaver, 45
· Miami defensive coordinator-17th in passing yards allowed, 26th in rushing yards allowed, 24th in interceptions and 15th in sacks with 39 in 2025.
· Has run a 3-4 defense, coached with Romeo Crennel and Rex Ryan and worked with the Jets, Bills, Browns, Texans, Ravens mostly as a defensive line coach. He was the defensive coordinator in Houston (2020).
· Weaver would have worked in Baltimore with Steelers linebackers Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison and safety Chuck Clark.
· Former Notre Dame player, he played for the Ravens and Texans in the NFL
Klay Kubiak, 37
· 49ers offensive coordinator in 2025-10th in scoring (25.7 points per game), 6th in passing yards, 24th in rushing yards
· 5 seasons with Kyle Shanahan including working as passing game coordinator, assistant quarterbacks coach, defensive quality control
· High school head coach from 2018-20 at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston, Texas
· Quarterback at Colorado State, father is NFL coach Gary Kubiak and brother, Klint, is the Seahawks offensive coordinator.