Questions to ask candidates/Questions candidates need to ask Steelers

I heard Doug Whaley on 93.7 this morning. It was very interesting to hear what questions the team asks and what questions the candidates ask.

If you were on the Steelers side of the table, what questions would you be asking HC candidates?

If you were the HC candidate, what questions would you be asking the Steelers?

 

Questions to ask candidate:

1) Describe your leadership style, your communication style, how you will deal with those above you in the organization, those below you, the media?
2) You've taken a look at our roster. Who do you see with greater roles moving forward, and why?
3) What qualities are you looking for in your coaching staff? Do you have names of coaches you'd like to hire?
4) Given our roster and our draft capital. Realistically what do you see for this team in 2026 and at what point is this team a SB contender?
5) We have players who have established themselves here, give me names of players you'd want to move on from.


Scenarios

1) Your number one receiver is dogging it in practice. You've talked to him and no improvement. Describe next steps towards fixing the situation.
2) Player sits down with you and says there is (describe bad home situation) going on in his life and he can't keep his mind on football. How do you react?
3) Training camp hero at given position comes in and outplays the veteran incumbent. How do you determine when he goes from good looking rook to starting over the vet?

 

Questions if I'm the candidate

1) How much free reign do I have in hiring coordinators and the rest of the coaching staff?
2) The Steelers have a long tradition of staying the course on coaches. What are the expectations for year one? Near future? What does success look like?
3) What is my say in building the roster? Will I be running / attending interviews with free agents and draft eligible players?
4) I have no attachment to the current roster. What latitude do I have in releasing players (within reason when it comes to contracts) as I see fit?
5) How much you paying me?????
6) Can I discipline players as I see fit?
7) Describe for me the social structure of the clubhouse. Is there a leadership group in place? If so, who? Are there a bunch of cliques?
8) A young UDFA outperforms a seasoned vet. We're paying the vet a lot of money. Can I make the decision to start the rook if I believe he makes us better?
9) Why didn't you answer question 5 for me? How much are you paying me? I don't accept Primanti Brothers gift cards in lieu of money.

 

Steelers, “What would you do to beat the Browns twice a season?”

 

I agree with all but 5 & 9

That is always a bad question in an interview

 

Doesn't really matter, the Steelers posted the salary on their Indeed ad.