Rams DC Chris Shula as an option if Tomlin walks?

[tbsteel]

From Albert Breer: https://www.si.com/nfl/what-were-hearin ... of-week-18

The Steelers, Ravens and Bills have generated conversation in recent weeks. Is there any reality to it? I don’t think these would be firings. But there is some thought that Mike Tomlin could look at a reset, with the Pittsburgh roster potentially going through one soon too, and take a year or two in TV before returning to the sideline. And interestingly enough, Shula’s name has been connected to the Steelers, in case there is an opening.

Chris Shula, DC for the Rams.

[tbsteel]

Additionally, anyone actually rooting for a win on Sunday is a GD fool and should be tossed down a well. The pure joy of a coaching search is like injecting meth directly into my heart.

[bradshaw2ben]

Oddly, both guys that interest me are former coaches' offspringz: Shula and Klint Kubiak

[DumlinBumlinStumlin]

Additionally, anyone actually rooting for a win on Sunday is a GD fool and should be tossed down a well. The pure joy of a coaching search is like injecting meth directly into my heart.

[CKSteeler]

I don't think I've ever really heard of a report like this. None of these jobs are likely to open but somehow this guy is keeping in contact or a connection just in case?

I guarantee that even if the Steelers do ditch Tomlin, the last thing in the world they want is for it to look like they're one of those teams with a replacement lined up. Particularly if that coach is white. Reason is simple - that has always been and obviously does go completely against the spirit of the Rooney Rule. Teams perhaps rightly get condemned for doing this all the time and there's not a chance in hell the Steelers would put themselves in such a position when firing the most high profile black coach in American sports.

I don't think the Steelers have any connection to this guy and if anything it's something he's floating out there because he wants the job.

The way I'd like to see them go about this, and I think we're getting to the point where it's increasingly likely it happens at some point, is they make the decision to move on from Tomlin. From there they cast a wide net and have an open mind to any and all candidates. You know, what they pretended to do with the GM job, only for real this time. Look at the best candidates and make a decision.

Firing Tomlin should be done because it's a decision that has to be made. It should almost be separate from what has always been a ridiculous question of who are you going to replace him with (the implication being that there's no one better out there). No one knew who the fuck Tomlin was before they hired him (or Cowher for that matter). If you are a stable franchise that trust's it's internal processes you don't ask that question. You trust that your search will produce a strong candidate and you accept that the risk of getting worse is worth it to potentially get better/take the next step that Tomlin couldn't.

[CKSteeler]

None of what I just said means that the Steelers *wouldn't* hire a guy like Shula or Shula himself. It's just...I don't think there's any substance to this report. It sounds a lot more like Shula putting out feelers and he/his agent signalling interest. Which is probably not the best way to go about it with the Rooney's in my opinion. But who knows. Art II is a feckless coward so...

But yea Breer has tied Shula to every job opening on the market right now so my strong hunch is that his agent is doing his job and Breer is his guy.

[swissvale72]

Additionally, anyone actually rooting for a win on Sunday is a GD fool and should be tossed down a well. The pure joy of a coaching search is like injecting meth directly into my heart.

More a fool is rooting for a loss because you think that will result in a coaching change. It won't.

[Steeldrama]

Oddly, both guys that interest me are former coaches' offspringz: Shula and Klint Kubiak

Shula a famous last name but some bad gene pool here.

Should we get lucky enough to be rid of Tomlin some bad nepotism could loom

Shula’s dad is David Shula the former washed out Bengals HC

Uncle Mike is the real worry.

Dude had a disastrous stint as Bama HC Pre-Saban. Most recently fired Cocks OC torpedoed their season and the draft stock of qb Lanorris Sellers.

Brutally bad coach

Yes all things that read Mike Tomlin GONE is glorious news but hope they choose his successor wisely because we’re stuck with him for 20 years

[Steelperch]

I just don’t want another DC for HC.

[jebrick]

So the beat writers are saying that they would choose a young DC if Tomlin walks/traded/fired? I could have told them that years ago.

[bradshaw2ben]

So the beat writers are saying that they would choose a young DC if Tomlin walks/traded/fired? I could have told them that years ago.

If they choose a young DC they are the worst franchise in america. Even IF it works temporarily, the offensive genius guys are always more likely to get promoted and then you have to start all over again. Defensive coordinators are less likely to be hot HC prospects and more likely to stay a long time, especially if they got fired as the HC somewhere else, as many have.

[955876]

I just don’t want another DC for HC.

Same here. I’m a hard no to any defensive HC at this point.

[955876]

So the beat writers are saying that they would choose a young DC if Tomlin walks/traded/fired? I could have told them that years ago.

If they choose a young DC they are the worst franchise in america. Even IF it works temporarily, the offensive genius guys are always more likely to get promoted and then you have to start all over again. Defensive coordinators are less likely to be hot HC prospects and more likely to stay a long time, especially if they got fired as the HC somewhere else, as many have.

This x1,000

[jeemie]

So the beat writers are saying that they would choose a young DC if Tomlin walks/traded/fired? I could have told them that years ago.

If they choose a young DC they are the worst franchise in america. Even IF it works temporarily, the offensive genius guys are always more likely to get promoted and then you have to start all over again. Defensive coordinators are less likely to be hot HC prospects and more likely to stay a long time, especially if they got fired as the HC somewhere else, as many have.

A young DC is fine, but ONLY if that young DC understands that he needs an offensive mind to run the show on that side of the ball, finds one, hires them, and actually lets them run the show.

Yes usually that works better in reverse nowadays (young offensive mind is given the reins and hires someone to look after the defense) but the principle holds either way.

Hire good people and let them do their jobs.

[lifelongsteel]

I think Tomlin has to win Sunday and win a playoff game. He won't be fired. They just won't exercise the 2027 team option, which makes him a lame duck in 2026. Tomlin trades will then become a possibility, with the opportunity for both sides to save face. Tomlin walks out a hero (in the media) with NHALS and a big new contract in NY or Vegas. Rooney saves face for not "firing" Tomlin.

As to the next coach, I think the OC vs. DC point is a good one. But I'm not too worried if the coaches father or uncle were not great coaches.

Maybe Kubiak threads the needle here. Or Joe Brady.

Re: Sunday, losing to the hated ratbirds in order to get rid of Tomlin will feel like getting kicked in the teeth in order to finally get that dental work done. Bengals? Browns? Ok. But the Ravens? With that douche Harbaugh and fucking Lamar? Will sting a little

[CKSteeler]

One thing that people don't count on with regards to the DC vs. OC thing is that you may actually have a deeper pool of talent to draw from with the DC. When everyone and their mother is looking to hire the offensive guys, you are competing for something that's juts more scarce. There's probably a number of DC's who could do the job quite well who are overlooked just because of the shift to offense.

The league also kind of needs to move beyond the approach of hiring anyone who has ever had a cup of coffee with McVay or Shanahan thing they have going on.

[Jizz Mop]

Team Jizz Mop wants a gifted OC for HC

I can’t live through another couple decades of 1950s offensive bullshit

[Steelafan77]

So the beat writers are saying that they would choose a young DC if Tomlin walks/traded/fired? I could have told them that years ago.

If they choose a young DC they are the worst franchise in america. Even IF it works temporarily, the offensive genius guys are always more likely to get promoted and then you have to start all over again. Defensive coordinators are less likely to be hot HC prospects and more likely to stay a long time, especially if they got fired as the HC somewhere else, as many have.

A young DC is fine, but ONLY if that young DC understands that he needs an offensive mind to run the show on that side of the ball, finds one, hires them, and actually lets them run the show.

Yes usually that works better in reverse nowadays (young offensive mind is given the reins and hires someone to look after the defense) but the principle holds either way.

Hire good people and let them do their jobs.

This is the approach I believe most Steelers fans hope for.

That said, the next issue would be retaining said Offensive Minded OC.

Especially if successful at it. What’s to stop there being a revolving door at OC?

Hiring the right OC every few seasons seems daunting given the Steelers haven’t been able to do it once in 20 seasons.

[W&M_Steeler]

If they choose a young DC they are the worst franchise in america. Even IF it works temporarily, the offensive genius guys are always more likely to get promoted and then you have to start all over again. Defensive coordinators are less likely to be hot HC prospects and more likely to stay a long time, especially if they got fired as the HC somewhere else, as many have.

A young DC is fine, but ONLY if that young DC understands that he needs an offensive mind to run the show on that side of the ball, finds one, hires them, and actually lets them run the show.

Yes usually that works better in reverse nowadays (young offensive mind is given the reins and hires someone to look after the defense) but the principle holds either way.

Hire good people and let them do their jobs.

This is the approach I believe most Steelers fans hope for.

That said, the next issue would be retaining said Offensive Minded OC.

Especially if successful at it. What’s to stop there being a revolving door at OC?

Hiring the right OC every few seasons seems daunting given the Steelers haven’t been able to do it once in 20 seasons.

Tomlin has figured out the secret- hire terrible OCs no one else wants and you don't have to worry about them being poached

Your worry doesn't seem to be a bad problem to have. It would be great to have a Head Coach so gifted in identifying and developing offensive talent that his OCs get poached every other year. That's a luxury problem.

[955876]

One thing that people don't count on with regards to the DC vs. OC thing is that you may actually have a deeper pool of talent to draw from with the DC. When everyone and their mother is looking to hire the offensive guys, you are competing for something that's juts more scarce. There's probably a number of DC's who could do the job quite well who are overlooked just because of the shift to offense.

The league also kind of needs to move beyond the approach of hiring anyone who has ever had a cup of coffee with McVay or Shanahan thing they have going on.

Good points.

However, you will forever be in the situation of losing your OC every 2-3 yaars if they are good or having to find a new one every 2-3 yaars because you hired the Matt Canada/Randy Ficthners of the world.

[Steelafan77]

Your worry doesn't seem to be a bad problem to have. It would be great to have a Head Coach so gifted in identifying and developing offensive talent that his OCs get poached every other year. That's a luxury problem.

More a concern as the consistency from coach to coach is what becomes the detriment going forward.

If you’re hiring two-three different OC’s in a decade each wanting to put their stamp on the offense with the goal of being HC someday…

[franco32]

Again, you have to hire the BEST candidate out there regardless of the side of the ball. An offensive guru HC can have OCs come and go all the time as well. When you have an actual coaching tree, you lose great assistants. We see that all the time with OCs. That's a NICE problem to have and I'd WELCOME it after having the worst assistants in football since Cowher's assistants moved on.

Of the 2 best coaching candidates out there, Kubiak is a great mind but he's mellower. I like him though. He seems to be innovative and have attention to detail. Shula is a little more intense, but his defenses are VERY creative and innovative. I think Shula would hire some fantastic young OCs so I wouldn't be that worried about it.

[Havoc]

So the beat writers are saying that they would choose a young DC if Tomlin walks/traded/fired? I could have told them that years ago.

If they choose a young DC they are the worst franchise in america. Even IF it works temporarily, the offensive genius guys are always more likely to get promoted and then you have to start all over again. Defensive coordinators are less likely to be hot HC prospects and more likely to stay a long time, especially if they got fired as the HC somewhere else, as many have.

This x1,000

Hard no to DC !!!

Don't get cute! Don't outsmart yourself.

Don't forget, a lot of you who are open to a DC were probably fine with Tomlin at one point.

Point being, you can't be sure how it's going to work out ESPECIALLY with a defensive guy.

Just bring in an offensive / QB guru and if that doesn't work out, cut bait ASAP and bring in another one.

[Thrillsseeker]

Put me in the group that wants to hire an OC.

I also think this team will go out and hire yet another “defensive minded coach.”

[tbsteel]

If they choose a young DC they are the worst franchise in america. Even IF it works temporarily, the offensive genius guys are always more likely to get promoted and then you have to start all over again. Defensive coordinators are less likely to be hot HC prospects and more likely to stay a long time, especially if they got fired as the HC somewhere else, as many have.

This x1,000

Hard no to DC !!!

Don't get cute! Don't outsmart yourself.

Don't forget, a lot of you who are open to a DC were probably fine with Tomlin at one point.

Point being, you can't be sure how it's going to work out ESPECIALLY with a defensive guy.

Just bring in an offensive / QB guru and if that doesn't work out, cut bait ASAP and bring in another one.

I mean, Tomlin was the exact type of hire they needed in 2007. They had a super-talented roster, a young franchise QB, and the pieces in place to win big with the right kind of motivator at the helm. They just needed someone who could massage that out of them and get them wired and driven together.

Tomlin is fantastic in those situations.

He's just a complete and absolute failure at building a team, creating any sort of offensive system, game planning, hiring coaches, stepping outside his comfort zone, and still coaches like it's 2010. You know, all those little things lol.

[langer]

Coach T will get to handpick his successor.

[franco32]

Coach T will get to handpick his successor.

So you mean T. Austin?

[Steeldrama]

Coach T will get to handpick his successor.

That’s a scary thought

Hopefully Dino too busy making TikToks to be bothered

[Mick]

I have a strong preference for an offensive guy, but the ‘everyone is looking for offensive guys, so choice may be between a 3rd rate O guy vs. 1st rate D guy’ argument is noted, and there i’d rather take the better coach.

More specifically on topic, i’ve really liked/wanted Kubiak for years, he seems like a great HC candidate at this point.

Where i don’t understand what the interest in shula comes from. He wouldn’t be a top 50 HC candidate to me, but at this point i have to think is agent must be pretty close to the best in the business.

[955876]

Coach T will get to handpick his successor.

You just made me puke up some of my morning coffee.