Steelers linked to top ACC head coach as NFL insider reports serious interest

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Amid Super Bowl champion Mike McCarthy gaining interest for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head-coaching position, a college football head coach of the Atlantic Coast Conference is also at the top of the list.

Per the NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, the Steelers are very interested in the Miami Hurricanes head coach, Mario Cristobal, whose team recently lost the national championship against Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers. Here is what the insider revealed.

“I hear the Stealers are very interested in Mario Cristobal,” Baldinger said. “And I think, the coach of the University of Miami, I think Mario Cristobal, actually would really translate to the NFL.”

Adding more to the reports, Baldinger said, “I watched his practice in the spring, Jason Taylor coaching the defense line. They got two number one picks on that defense line. Cristobal coached the offensive line. Their right tackle is going to be a first-round pick. There’s talent everywhere on that team.”

The NFL insider lastly added, “But the way that Mario coached that team reminded me of how school coaches used to do. They’re limited in the NFL, how many times you put pads on and hit and all that stuff, but they’re going to get after it like they did. I think.”

BREAKING: NFL savant analyst Brian Baldinger says the Steelers are “very interested” in Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal. Baldy is very close to the Steelers front office. He’s talked on our show about his friendship with Andy Weidl. He calls Cristobal an “old school” coach. Wow. pic.twitter.com/tw2w2Ueioc
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 23, 2026

Miami Hurricanes hired Cristobal in December 2021 to revive a dormant powerhouse. A Miami native and former Hurricanes offensive lineman, Cristobal won national championships as a player in 1989 and 1991.

Cristobal has compiled a career head-coaching record of 84–76 across stints at Florida International, Oregon, and Miami, according to Sports-Reference. In these years, his resume includes a losing rebuild at FIU, an elite 35–13 run at Oregon, and steady progress at Miami.

Additionally, known as an elite recruiter and culture builder, he previously led Oregon to Pac-12 titles and developed a strong reputation while coaching under Nick Saban at Alabama.

So, at Miami, Cristobal has emphasized physicality and recruiting dominance. He also helped the Hurricanes build a long-term roster to push the program back into ACC and national relevance.

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