Klay Kubiak became the latest candidate to be out of the running to replace Mike Tomlin with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But not because he landed another head coaching job elsewhere.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator “has removed himself from consideration” for all head coaching vacancies. Instead, he will continue to serve as the 49ers OC under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The Steelers were one of two teams still with head coach openings who requested to interview Kubiak. The other team was the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kubiak was one of seven candidates the Steelers interviewed virtually during the second full week of January. Of those seven candidates, three of them have either landed head coaching jobs or elected to return to their current positions.
The Steelers have one of five head coach openings remaining in the league this offseason. Five other teams have already hired new head coaches this month.
Steelers Hire Mike McCarthy Minutes After Klay Kubiak News: Reports
Less than a half hour after Russini broke her news about Kubiak’s decision, multiple reporters indicated the Steelers were hiring Mike McCarthy as their next head coach.
McCarthy grew up in Pittsburgh. Now, at age 62, the Super Bowl winner gets a chance to coach the team he grew up rooting for.
With that news, Russini’s details on Kubiak were lost in the shuffle.
It’s possible that Kubiak removing his candidacy from the Steelers played a role in the team’s decision. The candidates the Steelers had on their list for head coach was narrowing just before McCarthy became the final choice.
However, it’s likely the two reports were unrelated. McCarthy interviewed in-person for the Steelers job Wednesday. Pundits considered him one of the strong candidates for the role.
Kubiak didn’t get a lot of attention in the Steelers media other than brief mentioning of his virtual interview.
Kubiak Returning to 49ers to be Offensive Coordinator: Report
With the 49ers, Kubiak will be back for his sixth season in 2026. Last year was his first campaign as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Son of former Super Bowl winning coach Gary Kubiak, Klay began his coaching career as a high school offensive coordinator at Strake Jesuit College Prep in Houston Texas. He became the program’s head coach after four years as its coordinator.
Following seven years of high school coaching, Kubiak joined the 49ers in 2021. It’s the only NFL team he’s coached for in his career.
His father coached the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. The Broncos won Super Bowl 50 under Kubiak in February 2016.
Klay’s brother, Klint Kubiak, is also an NFL offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks. Before the McCarthy hire, the Steelers were rumored to be linked to Klint for their head coach opening. But an unusual rule prevented Pittsburgh from interviewing Klint under either after the Seattle Seahawks season ended or following the Super Bowl.
Klint was the Seahawks offensive coordinator in 2025. He held the same role with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and New Orleans Saints during 2024.
Klay and Klint could easily be the next set of brothers as head coaches in the NFL. But neither of them will be the head coach with the Steelers in 2026.
NFC West Assistant Drops out as Steelers Head Coach Candidate: Report