Starkey & Mueller

PM Team FULL Show 1-15-26

Chris Hoke told the midday show that the Steelers should trade TJ Watt. The guys connected that to the Mike DeFabo story that came out earlier today about the players sobbing over Mike Tomlin stepping down as the Steelers head coach. We also got JJ Watt chirping Poni. Shouldn’t Watt want to play for a team that can win it all now as his career turns to the back nine? Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray said there will not be an attempt by the Steelers to tank or take a step back to take a couple steps forward. Ray said the arrow is now pointing to 2027 for a QB in the draft because the guys just aren’t there this year and the Steelers are selecting 21st. Ray said the Steelers should approach both TJ Watt and Cam Heyward as trade pieces this off-season. Ray said the Steelers’ job is attractive due to stability, but the Ravens probably have the best situation since they already have Lamar Jackson in-place. Ray gets the feel that the Steelers have a lot of respect for Sean McVay g

So, the Steelers players loved Mike Tomlin, but hated the coordinators? We revisited the Mike DeFabo piece for this segment. That doesn’t make sense. With the power Tomlin held, he hired his coordinators. How can you praise the person who put the people you hate in place? It’s also telling that Art Rooney said nobody on the current staff would be considered as the next head coach. That indicates they weren’t the owner’s guys. Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve mentioned a couple of coaches that he thinks deserve second chances – Kevin Stefanski and Robert Saleh. Steve said when all things are equal he would hire an offensive head coach, but don’t count out the hiring ability of the defensive minds. Steve thinks the way the Packers defense fell off greatly sans Micah Parsons is a reason to stay away from Jeff Hafley in the process. Steve said he doesn’t know enough about Nate Scheelhaase to project what he could be as a head coach. Steve said Brian Flores still intrigues him. Out of th

Interviews are upon us with the Steelers head coaching search. Would you rather be first or last? Jeff Hafley, the Packers DC is the first man up. Jeff also has ties to Pitt and Mike Tomlin after coaching Dino Tomlin at Boston College. This isn’t an inspiring candidate – it feels like the bottom of the names they have requested to interview so far. We recapped our Fan celebration last night for winning the Marconi. We also took a ride on the Quiz Callas train. Power Rankings – Steelers head coach candidates.

An article released by Mike DeFabo from The Athletic painting the picture of the final Mike Tomlin meeting with the team had the guys talking off the bat. The quotes and stories from this piece make it sound like the players were attending a funeral and not a team meeting. Of course, there was a suggestion that the media and fans were the final straw to Tomlin stepping down. GIVEAWAY. LA Rams YouTuber Jake Ellenbogen joined the show. With 2 Rams coaches being requested for interviews with the Steelers, Jake said Nate Scheelhaase would be better fit to be the next HC over Chris Shula, saying he could be the next Sean McVay. Jake went through the Scheelhaase resume explaining why his mind could be the next big thing in the league. Jake told the guys he was all over the McVay hire in LA when it happened, when a lot of people wanted a veteran coach. Jake told a story about Scheelhaase and why he defends him so much. Jake said the Rams have been able to unlock the 12 & 13 personnel groupings, which makes th

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray said there will not be an attempt by the Steelers to tank or take a step back to take a couple steps forward. Ray said the arrow is now pointing to 2027 for a QB in the draft because the guys just aren’t there this year and the Steelers are selecting 21st. Ray said the Steelers should approach both TJ Watt and Cam Heyward as trade pieces this off-season. Ray said the Steelers’ job is attractive due to stability, but the Ravens probably have the best situation since they already have Lamar Jackson in-place. Ray gets the feel that the Steelers have a lot of respect for Sean McVay given the way they have opened their doors to interviewing ‘his’ guys. Ray commented on Jeff Hafley getting an interview and talked about knowing Jeff back to his days at Pitt.

PM Team Div. Round picks

Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve mentioned a couple of coaches that he thinks deserve second chances – Kevin Stefanski and Robert Saleh. Steve said when all things are equal he would hire an offensive head coach, but don’t count out the hiring ability of the defensive minds. Steve thinks the way the Packers defense fell off greatly sans Micah Parsons is a reason to stay away from Jeff Hafley in the process. Steve said he doesn’t know enough about Nate Scheelhaase to project what he could be as a head coach. Steve said Brian Flores still intrigues him. Out of the LA DCs, which one does Steve like more? Steve would ‘jump’ at the idea of Matt LaFleur if the Packers didn’t want him anymore.

So, the Steelers players loved Mike Tomlin, but hated the coordinators? We revisited the Mike DeFabo piece for this segment. That doesn’t make sense. With the power Tomlin held, he hired his coordinators. How can you praise the person who put the people you hate in place? It’s also telling that Art Rooney said nobody on the current staff would be considered as the next head coach. That indicates they weren’t the owner’s guys.

Interviews are upon us with the Steelers head coaching search. Would you rather be first or last? Jeff Hafley, the Packers DC is the first man up. Jeff also has ties to Pitt and Mike Tomlin after coaching Dino Tomlin at Boston College. This isn’t an inspiring candidate – it feels like the bottom of the names they have requested to interview so far.

LA Rams YouTuber Jake Ellenbogen joined the show. With 2 Rams coaches being requested for interviews with the Steelers, Jake said Nate Scheelhaase would be better fit to be the next HC over Chris Shula, saying he could be the next Sean McVay. Jake went through the Scheelhaase resume explaining why his mind could be the next big thing in the league. Jake told the guys he was all over the McVay hire in LA when it happened, when a lot of people wanted a veteran coach. Jake told a story about Scheelhaase and why he defends him so much. Jake said the Rams have been able to unlock the 12 & 13 personnel groupings, which makes them capable of playing in any element. Jake defended Shula, who got brought into question for just how good the Rams defense is, but Jake said Shula has done very well with that group. Jake mentioned a couple more coaches on the Rams’ staff that should be head coaches one day, including Mike LaFleur.

An article released by Mike DeFabo from The Athletic painting the picture of the final Mike Tomlin meeting with the team had the guys talking off the bat. The quotes and stories from this piece make it sound like the players were attending a funeral and not a team meeting. Of course, there was a suggestion that the media and fans were the final straw to Tomlin stepping down.

Judge Donny – Should the Steelers be interested in a coach that already has head coaching experience?

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff gave his reaction to the Mike Tomlin news. He told the guys what it was like in the facility today. Jeff gave his thoughts on what Art Rooney said. Where do the Steelers go from here?

ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi – Aditi quickly reacted to the news of Mike Tomlin stepping down before the guys asked her about new candidates. Aditi said two of her favorites, of the names being requested so far, are Jesse Minter and Brian Flores – the latter having a past relationship with the Steelers. Aditi isn’t sure what Anthony Weaver would be like as a head coach. Aditi said young coaches get the feeling when it will be their turn as a head coach, for the most part. Aditi gave us some other names to know going through this whole process.

We already have some names that have been requested for interviews with the Steelers just one day removed from Mike Tomlin stepping down after 19 seasons. Chris Shula, the grandson of Don Shula and DC of the Rams is the new favorite. The other two to receive interviews are Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver. We reflected on how the Tomlin hiring went down way back when. Beyond these 3 names, who else do you want the Steelers to bring in?

You can basically close the book on the Aaron Rodgers experience with the Steelers.

Art Rooney II spoke to the media today for the first time following the news of Mike Tomlin stepping down as Steelers head coach. How did this make the guys feel? They said other than the statement about nobody on the staff being a candidate, there were some comments that worried them. Poni’s takeaway is that he can’t trust Rooney to nail the hire the way his dad did 3 times.

PM Team FULL Show 1-13-26

Would Mike McCarthy be of interest? Who else will the Steelers interview? A look back at the final game of Mike Tomlin as Steelers head coach.