Steelers owner signals a win-now approach, not a rebuild, as the team targets top coaching talent ready to compete immediately.
The one certainty about whoever the next Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach turns out to be is that he will not be walking into a rebuilding situation.
When Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 seasons as the Steelers’ coach on Tuesday, some thought it was a sign the Steelers were ready to rebuild or at least reset. However, Steelers owner Art Rooney II said Wednesday that the organization does not take any steps back.
"I'm not sure why you waste a year of your life not trying to contend," Rooney said during a press conference. “Obviously, your roster is what it is every year. It changes every year, so you deal with what you have every year and try to put yourself in position to compete every year. Sometimes you have the horses, sometimes you don't. But I think you try every year. The standard is try to compete to win a championship every year."
Tomlin often used the phrase “the standard is the standard.” It will be the same mindset for his successor.
Five candidates have already been identified for the vacancy – two Los Angeles Rams’ assistant coaches, pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and defensive coordinator Chris Shula, along with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
The Rams are the only team among those with a candidate the Steelers are interested in that is still alive in the playoffs. The Rams visit the Chicago Bears on Sunday night in an NFC Divisional round game.
History indicates the search may not last long. The Steelers have hired their last three coaches in January: Chuck Noll in 1969, Bill Cowher in 1992, and Tomlin in 2007. Rooney, though, says he has no timetable.
“We'll get started right away, and it'll take weeks at least, I would say,” Rooney said. “Nowadays, there are a number of protocols we have to follow that are designed to slow the process down. For now, I don't want to put any real parameters around it. We're going to be an open book in terms of who we look for and the list that we build.
“Can I sign up for another Chuck Noll or another Bill Cowher or another Mike Tomlin? Sure, somebody we feel fits that mold would be great. But for now, we're not going to narrow the box too much."