The Pittsburgh Steelers' search for a new head coach has begun, with the team already requesting interviews with candidates in the wake of Mike Tomlin's resignation.
The early trend among the Steelers' head-coach candidate s is all but one is a defensive-minded coach, which follows the mold of the previous three head coaches the Steelers had.
With that in mind, it makes sense for Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein to predict that the Steelers will hire San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their next head coach.
Here's Epstein's thoughts on her prediction:
"The Jets’ tailspin since Robert Saleh’s departure speaks to how he elevated the team in spite of significant organizational dysfunction," Epstein said. "The Steelers’ ownership stability will be refreshing for Saleh, who can point to how he motivated a top-five Jets defense through the quarterback wilderness through which Pittsburgh is wandering.
"Add in Saleh masterminding a highly injured 49ers defense to overachieve this season, and Saleh will maintain the Steelers’ tough, gritty identity."
Saleh has not been among the Steelers' interviews thus far, but Pittsburgh is still very early in the process, so he could join the group of candidates at some point.
Saleh has head-coaching experience after spending three-plus years in the role with the New York Jets, where he compiled an abysmal 20-36 record.
After striking out in New York, Saleh returned to San Francisco for his second stint as the team's defensive coordinator, and he's once again doing a fantastic job in the role.
Granted, San Francisco doesn't sport an elite defense, but the unit has been far better than expected after losing key players like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.
Another attractive thing about Saleh is he could bring former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel with him. McDaniel and Saleh are connected after they were on the same staff under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.
McDaniel's stint in Miami ended badly, but he's still one of the more respected offensive minds in the NFL and would be just what the doctor ordered for a Pittsburgh offense that badly needs to modernize.
Even if Saleh can't bring McDaniel with him, he would still be a strong hire for the Steelers.
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