PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Heading into the first full week without a head coach in a couple decades, the Steelers reportedly interviewed four candidates, three defensive coordinators and a passing game coordinator, none of whom have been an NFL head coach.
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
• 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