Steelers Now
Grant Udinski, a potential Pittsburgh Steelers head coach candidate, is getting a second interview with the Cleveland Browns for their vacancy, according to a report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Udinski, 30, is in his first season as the offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he and head coach Liam Coen led a resurgence of the offense and the play of former first-round draft pick Trevor Lawrence.
A Pennsylvania native, Udinski reportedly lived out of his car during his one season as a graduate assistant at Baylor, so there’s no questioning his motivation. His lack of experience, and the fact that Coen called the plays for the Jaguars during their turnaround season, make him the biggest boom-or-bust coaching prospect on the board.
He’s gained traction in Cleveland, where he will get a second interview along with current Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
The Steelers haven’t showed interest in Udinski, but have requested interviews with two of his contemporaries: Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaaase and San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. All three of the young offensive minds do not call plays for their current team, but are seen as some of the hottest rising names among NFL head coaches, specifically as descendants of the Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan coaching trees.
Coen came up with the Rams under McVay, and before he and Udinski got together in Jacksonville, Udinski got his start as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings, under Kevin O’Connell, who preceded Coen as the Rams’ offensive coordinator.
If the Steelers want a look at Udinski, they may have to move quickly. The Browns, who got a one week head start after firing Kevins Stefanski right at the end of the regular season, seem to be on pace to make a hire this week.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Potential Steelers Head Coach Target Gets Second Interview with Browns
