In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we attempt to organize and update the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching search. We also discuss some overlap with the Baltimore Ravens’ hunt to replace John Harbaugh. Sean McDermott’s dismissal in Buffalo creates questions.
And a former Penguin was part of a goalie fight.
Pulling from the pack?
The Steelers have officially released their list of virtual interviews of candidates for their vacant head coaching job.
The #Steelers completed virtual interviews this past week with:
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) January 19, 2026
-Ejiro Evero, CAR
-Jeff Hafley, GB
-Klay Kubiak, SF
-Jesse Minter, LAC
-Nate Scheelhaase, LAR
-Chris Shula, LAR
-Anthony Weaver, MIA
***In-person interviews to begin this week for selected candidates.
According to “Monday Morning Quarterback’s” Albert Breer, one of those candidates may have a leg up.
“I can tell you right now, the Steelers really like Chris Shula,” Breer said on FS1’s “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd (at 2:14:44). “Pittsburgh has the leverage to be patient.”
Shula, the Rams’ defensive coordinator, can’t interview in person until next week at the earliest because his team is still alive in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Steelers didn’t need to do a virtual interview with Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores because he was an assistant coach here in 2022. He’s reportedly set to have an in-person interview on Tuesday.
It appears that Mark Maske of The Washington Post thinks Flores has a great shot at the job.
Brian Flores is believed to be a serious contender for the Steelers’ head coaching job. He previously worked for the Steelers as their linebackers coach under Mike Tomlin before his successful defensive coordinator stint with the Vikings.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) January 20, 2026
Breer also said that Flores is very high on Baltimore’s list.
Checking on the flock
Other head coaching candidates in Baltimore include Joe Brady (via Tom Pelisero of NFL Media) and Darren Rizzi (according to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver).
Pelissero says the Ravens will interview Brady this week. He is the Bills’ offensive coordinator. He already had a virtual interview with Baltimore.
Las Vegas and Atlanta have indicated interest in Brady too. The Falcons ended up striking a deal with Kevin Stefanski.
Rizzi is Denver’s special teams coordinator. That (and defensive backs coach) was a job John Harbaugh had in Philadelphia before running the Ravens for 18 years.
Prior to Harbaugh’s hiring in New York, Rizzi interviewed with the Giants as well. This is his first season on Denver’s staff.
He has also coached in Miami and New Orleans and overlapped with Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi for one year as a player at Rhode Island.
More sports
• Tim Benz: Concern over Mike Tomlin’s Steelers legacy is unnecessary … and James Harrison’s story shows why• As Steelers’ offseason rolls on as usual, evaluating pending free agents is priority
• With 7 virtual interviews done, Steelers prep for in-person talks with coaching candidates
Off the grid
Now that Sean McDermott is out from the Buffalo Bills, don’t be surprised if both the Steelers and Ravens take a run at him.
That’s according to Pelissero on the “Rich Eisen Show.”
“Teams to watch for Sean McDermott, potentially the Steelers, although that would be outside their normal bucket of who they like to hire. Baltimore is certainly one that I could see making a lot of sense,” Pelissero said (as mined at SteelersDepot.com).
McDermott has had at least 10 wins every season dating back to 2019. His Bills have won the AFC East five of the past six seasons. He was a William & Mary alum, where he was a teammate with Mike Tomlin.
Ned vs. Bob
Former Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was involved in a goalie fight Monday night.
The incident occurred during an extended dust-up between Nedeljkovic’s San Jose Sharks and the Florida Panthers.
With the Sharks up 3-1 six minutes into the third period, Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky skated the length of the ice to join the fray behind Nedeljkovic’s goal line.
Nedeljkovic seemed surprised but quickly engaged.
GOALIE FIGHT ALERT ????
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 20, 2026
BOBROVSKY VS. NEDELJKOVIC ???? pic.twitter.com/YPjaIS7tTl
Both goalies were issued a 5-minute major penalty for fighting as well as an additional 2-minute penalty for leaving the crease to take part in an altercation.
San Jose won 4-1. Both netminders stayed in the game.
