The Steelers have another opening on their coaching staff, and it's a big one.
Offensive line coach Mike Munchak, passed over for the head coaching position in Denver, has accepted the Broncos' offer to instead coach the team's offensive line. The Steelers, meanwhile, immediately named assistant offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett his replacement.
Munchak, who turns 59 in March, had been a finalist for the Broncos' head coaching position, but that job went to Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio last week.
Munchak, a Pro Football Hall of Fame guard for the Oilers/Titans franchise, began his coaching career with that team, eventually rising to head coach. But he was fired after the 2013 season after compiling a 22-26 record.
He joined the Steelers that year and has served as the team's offensive line coach since, presiding over one of the league's top units.
Munchak, however, has family that lives in the Denver area and decided to make a lateral career move to be closer to them. His contract with the Steelers is expiring.
Sarrett has been with the Steelers since 2012, working closely with Munchak the past five years.
“We are excited to promote Shaun to coach our offensive line,” said Mike Tomlin. “We have full confidence in his coaching abilities, and we look forward to him using his experience as he has been preparing for this opportunity to take on the challenges that will be presented to him.”
Sarrett joined the Steelers after four years at Duke University, where he was quality control coach and assistant offensive line coach. He also spent three seasons coaching at Marshall University (2005-07), where he earned his master’s degree. Sarrett began his coaching career at Streetboro (Ohio) High School, coaching both the offensive and defensive lines in 2004. He played collegiately at Kent State, where he was a three-year letterman at guard.
The Steelers have two remaining coaching positions to be filled after Tomlin fired outside linebackers coach Joey Porter and running backs coach James Saxon at the conclusion of the 2018 regular season. They also will likely hire an assistant for Sarrett.
The team did hire former Lions and Bengals defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as a special defensive assistant to help out with the secondary last week.
