The Pittsburgh Steelers have requested an interview with San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak for the team’s head coach opening, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports.

He is the eighth known candidate in Pittsburgh’s search and second with an offensive background, joining Los Angeles Rams’ passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.

The Steelers have submitted an interview request for 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak for their head coach vacancy, per source. pic.twitter.com/yjgYGfDFuy

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 15, 2026

Pittsburgh is the first known team to submit a head coaching request for him.

While many have speculated about the Steelers’ interest in Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, the team’s sights seem currently set on his younger brother Klay. Though a date isn’t official, it seems likely a virtual interview will take place Friday before the window closes to interview coaches still in the playoffs. It would follow the same procedure as Scheelhaase and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.

The 49ers are set to play the Seahawks on Saturday night.

Klay, 37, took over as the 49ers’ offensive coordinator in 2025, although head coach Kyle Shanahan still runs the offense. This season, San Francisco finished 10th in scoring offense, seventh in yards and fifth in points per drive. All despite dealing with several injuries, including to QB Brock Purdy and a slew of wide receivers.

A quarterback at Colorado State, Kubiak coached high school throughout the 2010s. He served as the head coach at Strake Jesuit College Prep from 2018-20, making the playoffs all three years.

He landed a job with the 49ers in 2021 as a defensive quality control coach, a position on the bottom of the coaching staff ladder. The following year, he was promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach, working with Purdy during his unexpected rise from Mr. Irrelevant to long-term starter. In 2023, Purdy threw for over 4,200 yards and 31 touchdowns to finish top-five in MVP voting. The following year, Kubiak was promoted to pass game specialist.

As shared by The Athletic, it was Kubiak who suggested the trick play of WR Jauan Jennings throwing to a wide open RB Christian McCaffrey in the Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Klay is the son of longtime former NFL coach Gary Kubiak, who served as the Houston Texans head coach from 2006-13 and 2014-15 with the Denver Broncos. Below is his 49ers bio.