Steelers Next Coach Odds: See Top Candidates to Replace Mike Tomlin on Kalshi

• Steelers next coach odds are out on Kalshi after Mike Tomlin resigned Tuesday
• A Rams defensive coordinator leads the betting market at 34%
• Read below for the full list of Steelers coaching candidates and predictions

The betting market for the next Pittsburgh Steelers head coach opened Tuesday after Mike Tomlin resigned following 19 seasons. The prediction market on Kalshi is already showing significant movement with over $19,000 in trading volume.

A clear favorite has emerged at 34%, while another candidate crashed from 14% to just 3% in the first day of trading. The Steelers will search for just their fourth head coach since 1969.

Let’s look at the top Steelers coaching candidates and analyze the next Pittsburgh coach odds.

Steelers Next Coach Odds

Chris Shula leads the Steelers next coach odds at 34% after jumping 16 points since the market opened. The 39-year-old Rams defensive coordinator is Don Shula’s grandson and fits Pittsburgh’s historical pattern of hiring young defensive coordinators.

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Odds as of Jan. 13 on Kalshi prediction markets. Grab the Kalshi referral code to place your first trade.

John Harbaugh, who was just fired by Baltimore, dropped from 14% to 3%. The Ravens rivalry angle initially drove interest, but bettors cooled on the idea quickly.

Why Chris Shula Is the Steelers Favorite

Austin Bechtold reported Tuesday that Shula is “an early name to watch” in the Steelers coaching search. Albert Breer at Sports Illustrated said Shula’s name was “connected” to Pittsburgh even before Tomlin stepped down.

The age fits Pittsburgh’s blueprint perfectly. The Steelers hired Mike Tomlin at 34, Bill Cowher at 34, and Chuck Noll at 38. Shula at 39 continues that tradition of identifying rising coordinators rather than recycling retreads.

Shula’s defense ranked top 10 in points allowed and rushing yards allowed this season. He also has offensive experience, serving as the Rams’ passing game coordinator in 2022 before moving to defense. That versatility matters for a team that needs to modernize on offense.

The coaching pedigree doesn’t hurt either. Being Don Shula’s grandson means he’s been around football his entire life and understands what it takes to build winning programs.

Brian Flores’ Steelers Connection

Flores sits at 15% on Kalshi and has the strongest existing ties to Pittsburgh. He spent 2022 as the Steelers’ senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach under Tomlin, rehabilitating his reputation after getting fired by Miami.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz said: “It would not be a surprise if Brian Flores gets a real look by the Steelers. ‘That makes too much sense,’ a high-level executive just told me.” Flores knows the building, the culture, and the defensive system already.

The Vikings’ defense ranked third in points allowed this season under Flores. He’s proven he can rebuild his reputation and run elite defenses. The question is whether Pittsburgh wants someone who already knows the system or prefers a fresh perspective.

Jesse Minter: Most Popular Candidate on Market

Minter sits at 13% despite being the most requested interview candidate across all NFL openings. All eight teams with head coach vacancies have asked to speak with the 42-year-old Chargers defensive coordinator.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicted Minter lands a head coaching job this cycle. He worked under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan before following him to the Chargers. That Harbaugh tree connection has produced successful head coaches.

There’s also a personal connection. Tomlin coached with Minter’s father at Cincinnati and spent significant time around Jesse when he was younger. Those relationships matter in Pittsburgh’s decision-making process.

The odds being lower than expected speak to the competition. If eight teams want to interview him, Minter has options. Pittsburgh isn’t the most attractive opening without a clear quarterback solution.

Other Steelers Coaching Candidates

Mike McCarthy sits at 13% as a veteran option. The former Cowboys and Packers head coach has a Super Bowl ring and knows how to win, but hiring retreads goes against Pittsburgh’s historical preference for rising coordinators.

Robert Saleh at 11% provides another defensive-minded option with head coaching experience. He did an excellent job rebuilding the 49ers’ defense after getting let go as head coach of the Jets.

Curt Cignetti at 10% is the wildcard college option in the Steelers coaching odds. The Indiana HC led the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten championship since 1967 this season. Colin Cowherd mentioned him as a potential NFL candidate, though college coaches rarely jump to the pros without coordinator experience.

Next Steelers Head Coach Prediction

The Steelers next coach odds heavily favor defensive coordinators, which aligns with Pittsburgh’s history. Tomlin was a defensive coordinator. Cowher was a defensive coordinator. The Steelers build their identity on defense.

Shula’s 34% probability aligns with early reporting linking him to the job. He checks the age box at 39, brings the defensive background they value, and has offensive experience to fix what’s broken. Flores at 15% has an inside track from prior relationships, while Minter at 13% faces too much competition from other openings.

The market opened just hours ago and will remain fluid. But early money backing Shula implies the betting market sees him as the most likely next Steelers head coach.