Pittsburgh doubles down on fast-rising head coach candidate who has history with Steelers Pro Bowler
The Steelers are expected to hold their second interview for a rising head coach candidate.
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers have a type when it comes to head coaching candidates. Sure, they haven’t been on the prowl for nearly two decades, but whether it was Mike Tomlin, Bill Cowher, or even Chuck Noll, the Steelers have gone for strong-willed, defensive-minded head coaches.
Less than a week into their search for the next had man in Pittsburgh, that hasn’t changed much. The Steelers have been doing their homework on Chris Shula, Brian Flores is in Pittsburgh this week for an interview, and they are scheduled to have another with a defensive coordinator who has become a hot name as of late.
Steelers to hold second HC interview with Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver
“Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver is expected to have a second, in-person interview with the Steelers for their HC position this week, source said.” – Ian Rapoport via X-Twitter
Weaver is viewed as one of the stronger candidates this cycle. He coached Steelers Pro Bowl safety Jalen Ramsey in 2024 when he was a member of the Miami Dolphins, and the Steelers should know him well from his time as assistant head coach with the Baltimore Ravens.
Speaking of Baltimore, the Ravens are also interviewing Weaver for their head coach vacancy. He brings a sense of toughness and bravado that belong in AFC North football, but how does he project as a head coach? I asked Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports Miami for his take on Weaver.
Why should the Steelers consider Anthony Weaver as head coach?
“Anthony Weaver is an excellent football coach. He’s made of the right stuff from an intangibles perspective — he’s even-keeled, steadfast, a clear communicator and offers a strong presence in front of a room. The skeptics will point to the defensive production in 2025 and I get it…it is a production based league. But to say Weaver wasn’t put in a position to be successful this past offseason would be an understatement.”
“Three of the top four defensive tackles in the rotation were rookies. Neither of the team’s starting cornerbacks were on the roster for the start of training camp. And the team’s best pass rusher, Jaelan Phillips, was traded at the NFL trade deadline. You can call them excuses. I’d call them context. Weaver’s 2024 defense is a much better indicator of his coaching prowess on the field. Teams looking for strong leadership and delegation would be wise to have Weaver near the top of their lists.” – Crabbs
Weaver fits the mold of a Steelers head coach. He’s not as young as the coaches they have hired in the past, but he is only 45 years old and has a history of coaching in the AFC North. He is a culture-setting, defensive-minded figure who is hungry to prove himself as a head coach, and it seems like that opportunity is coming his way.
The question will be if it’s in Pittsburgh or somewhere else.
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