Sports

Steelers Tied To College Football Playoff Star To Fill Head Coach Vacancy

January 23, 2026

Story byOct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet hangs on the heater post in a game against the New York Giants during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. (Barry Reeger/Imagn Images)Evan CormierFri, January 23, 2026 at 8:42 PM UTC·1 min readThe Pittsburgh Steelers are one of only five teams remaining in the NFL without a head coach. Seeing as longtime head coach Mike Tomlin did not step down until after the team’s now-routine first-round playoff loss, they are, understandably, behind the eight ball in the hiring process. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, the team needs to strike soon. The 2026 NFL Draft looms near, and many premier candidates have already been inked into new contracts. Brian Baldinger spent more than a decade on NFL offensive lines in the 80s and has been an analyst ever since.

Steelers Tied To College Football Playoff Star To Fill Head Coach Vacancy

Credit: Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet hangs on the heater post in a game against the New York Giants during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium.

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He speculated on his “The Best Football Show” podcast that the Steelers are very interested in a surprise candidate from the college football world.“I’m not out here trying to play reporter or doing any of that nonsense,” Baldinger said.
“But I hear the Steelers are very interested in Mario Cristobal, the coach at the University of Miami.
I think Mario Cristobal would really translate to the NFL… The way that Mario coached that team reminded of what old-school coaches used to do.
They’re limited in the NFL, how often you put pads on and hit and all that stuff, but they’re going to get after it.
I think Mario could transfer to the NFL.”Cristobal just coached his Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship and has shown no indication that he is looking for a job elsewhere.

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Steelers Tied To College Football Playoff Star To Fill Head Coach Vacancy

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Steelers Tied To College Football Playoff Star To Fill Head Coach Vacancy

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