Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been locked-in on the franchise’s search for a head coach and coordinators following the resignation of Mike Tomlin and a flood of interviews across the league. As of today, both Mike McCarthy and Brian Flores have completed visits without being hired. Chris Shula seems to be on the short list, and fellow coach Nate Scheelhaase has yet to hire with another team. What might a Shula/Scheelhaase coaching team-up in Pittsburgh look like for the Steelers?
Defensive-minded Shula
Steelers president Art Rooney II has emphasized finding a leader for the team, often reflecting on the successful model of hiring younger, defensive-minded coaches like Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin in the past. Shula, at 39, fits that model.
Rooney told the media, “I don’t want to sort of put any real parameters around it,” in regard to the Steelers’ coaching search. “We’re going to be an open book in terms of who we look for and the list that we build… So yeah, could I sign up for another Chuck Noll or another Bill Cowher or another Mike Tomlin? Sure. Somebody that we feel fits that mold would be great, but for now we’re not going to narrow the box too much.”
It’s doubtful that Rooney would turn Shula down, however, if the organization feels he’s the right fit.
Shula got his coaching start with Ball State in 2010 before moving to Indiana and John Carroll (2014), and then made the jump to the NFL in 2015 as defensive quality control with the San Diego Chargers in 2015.
Under Sean McVay, Shula has steadily climbed the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching ladder. In 2017, Shula began as assistant linebackers coach before moving to outside linebackers and linebackers over the next 3-4 years. The Steelers, who’ve long prided themselves on tough linebacker play seem like they’d do well with Shula’s defensive mind.
In 2022, he became the pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, and then moved to pass rush coordinator and linebackers coach. In 2024, Shula took control as the defensive coordinator.
Fans may point out that Shula doesn’t have experience running an NFL offense as a handicap for a head coach position, and that’s where Scheelhaase enters the scene.
Offensive-minded Scheelhaase
An Iowa native, Scheelhaase played quarterback at Illinois. He jumped into coaching at Illinois before joining Matt Campbell at Iowa State University in 2018. Scheelhaase helped rebuild a Cyclones team that had been mired in the middle of the Big 12 (2018-2023). He began as running backs coach, coaching David Montgomery – among others – and moved to wide receivers coach in 2019.
In 2021, Scheelhaase moved to running game coordinator with running backs and receivers and worked with All-American rusher Breece Hall. Receivers Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel also trained under Scheelhaase. With Brock Purdy hitting the NFL Draft in 2022, Campbell had Scheelhaase move up to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as well as play-calling in 2023.
When Scheelhaase was hired by the Rams in 2024, Campbell (who is Penn State’s latest head coach) said, “Nate is going and will do a great job. Honestly, an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. Love him and will miss him, but truly a great opportunity for him!”
How the two fit in Pittsburgh
Shula’s background suggests he could reinvigorate a Steelers defense through strategic scheming and player development. He blends traditional defensive fundamentals with creative pressures, coverage disguises, and situational adjustments.
Coming from working beside McVay, he’s familiar with creating accountable, disciplined units and could translate that to a head-coaching philosophy. A strong communicator with a reputation for blending modern defensive analytics with a player-friendly coaching approach, Shula will undoubtedly remain focused on carving his own path, ascending through positional roles rather than riding his pedigree alone.
Scheelhaase, whose roles span position coaching, game coordination, offensive coordination, and NFL passing game leadership, is considered an offensive innovator with strength in passing game design and implementation. He has been heralded as a player developer, especially at skill positions and with quarterbacks. His style is one of collaboration mixed with a blend of data-driven coaching and trend awareness with a focus on traditional fundamentals.
The Steelers struggled in the past two-to-three seasons getting their offense and defense to compliment each other on a regular basis. Because they’re familiar with each other and have a working relationship, Shula and Scheelhaase could be the perfect pairing to fix those issues in Pittsburgh.
Both Shula and Scheelhaase have been praised for being positive recruiters and player developers – important traits that Pittsburgh could benefit greatly from as they look for the pieces in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft with general manager Omar Khan. Young, yet mature, both have leadership skills that play a part in staff and player coordination as well.
Granted, both Shula and Scheelhaase have yet to lead NFL teams as head coaches, but their experience in the league points at the duo being ready to take the next step.