Pitt, Pat Narduzzi officially introduce 4 new assistant coaches
Before Pitt even played in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27, coach Pat Narduzzi knew he had at least two vacancies to fill on his staff. That was due to defensive coordinator Randy Bates retiring and special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski taking a job at Auburn on Dec....
Mark Madden: Getting the right quarterback will be paramount for Steelers’ next coach
As the Pittsburgh Steelers begin the process of hiring a new coach, the profile of most candidates seems similar: another team’s defensive coordinator, in his late 30s to mid-40s, no prior NFL head coaching experience. There are exceptions, but here’s betting the job goes to a younger version of Mike...
First Call: Close Mike Tomlin friend thinks he is ‘done’ coaching; Ravens LB still fuming about losses to Steelers
Friday’s “First Call” has a look at Mike Tomlin’s future from a trusted confidant. A Baltimore Ravens linebacker is still fuming about the team’s losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers. We examine the Penguins’ next intra-divisional clash. The Pitt hoops team has a high-profile game Saturday. And Duquesne goes on the...
What Steelers are free agents this offseason? Who might get a contract extension?
Just because there’s a coaching search doesn’t mean the NFL offseason is not proceeding as usual for the Pittsburgh Steelers. All of the typical player evaluations, transactions, acquisitions and contract negotiations press on. Here is a breakdown of Steelers players who are free agents and other relevant situations in regards...
Tim Benz: The Steelers should be looking for the right coach, not advancing their long-held traditions
The Pittsburgh Steelers need a head coach. The right coach. Not someone who just looks like a good fit for the family photo. No, that’s not a nepo-baby shot at Los Angeles’ Chris Shula. Physically, Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin look nothing like one another. But their coaching...
Pitt’s Nojus Indrusaitis shows potential with slump-busting performance vs. Georgia TechVideo
Much of Pitt’s men’s basketball season to date has featured individual players navigating inconsistent stretches of offensive production. Take, for example, sophomore guard Brandin Cummings, who lit up Petersen Events Center for 34 points (versus Hofstra on Dec. 7) and 29 points (versus Syracuse on Saturday) only to also be...
Path that started at Norwin carries Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan to brink of national title
A former high school lacrosse coach turned millionaire playcaller for the No. 1 college football team in the country is a win away from a national championship. If Norwin alum Mike Shanahan tells you he is living the dream, he means it. The second-year offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach...
Joe Starkey: What a long, strange Trib it’s been
I was working at the Valley News Dispatch one night in 1992 when the sports editor, Kevin Smith, walked through shaking his head. The two big Pittsburgh newspapers had just gone dark. One of them — the Pittsburgh Press — would never return. Their best writers were calling the Valley...
Robert Morris’ defense can’t slow IU Indy in overtime loss
On a day when one of their former men’s basketball players was charged with taking part in a massive betting scheme, the Robert Morris Colonials hoped to remain focused on their Horizon League game Thursday night at IU Indianapolis. It took overtime at The Jungle in Indianapolis before the Colonials...
Penguins snap losing skid by beating Flyers
There are immutable certainties in hockey. The ice will be cold, and the pucks will be rubber. And Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will always be ready for the Philadelphia Flyers. Such was the case Thursday as Crosby and the Penguins thumped their most enduring rivals 6-3 at PPG Paints...
Texans’ top-ranked defense looks to slow down Drake Maye and the Patriots in divisional matchup
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Drake Maye made his first NFL start against the Houston Texans. The New England Patriots’ second-year quarterback has come a long way in the 15 months since. “That feels like, shoot, 10 years ago. It’s been a long journey,” Maye said. “Running out there with the first-snap...
Penguins prospects Tristan Broz, Sergei Murashov selected as AHL All-Stars
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Tristan Broz and goaltender Sergei Murashov were selected for the American Hockey League’s (AHL) All-Star Classic event. The AHL announced the rosters for all four divisions on Thursday. Broz and Murashov, two of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ leading prospects, will represent the Atlantic Division. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach Kirk MacDonald...
Rams collide with resurgent Bears in divisional round matchup featuring high-powered offenses
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Ben Johnson spent plenty of time studying Sean McVay’s offense, though not necessarily for a moment like this. Back then, he wanted to know what worked for Jared Goff. Now, he’ll try to stop Matthew Stafford. And the stakes are high with the Chicago Bears set...
Fernando Mendoza hopes to cap an incredible journey with Indiana’s 1st national title
Fernando Mendoza arrived on Indiana’s campus last January carrying huge expectations for himself and the program. Outsiders almost immediately dubbed the new, highly touted transfer as the quarterback who could lead Indiana’s football program to unprecedented heights. Some even suggested Mendoza could be a Heisman Trophy candidate and possibly the...
Carson Beck’s college career set to end when Miami faces Indiana in College Football Playoff finale
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Carson Beck was only 17 when he enrolled at Georgia. Just a kid, completely unaware of what the next six years would bring. Had no idea he would become a lightning rod for criticism. Had no idea his elbow would need to be surgically rebuilt. Had...
Rod Woodson advances NFL Alumni cancer fighting initiative, talks Steelers-Ravens rivalry, John Harbaugh firing
Steelers legend Rod Woodson sounded like he was talking about executing a successful NFL defense. Recognition. Accurate diagnosis. Self-awareness. Knowing where your help is. Decisive action. But the NFL Hall of Famer wasn’t talking about how to execute a zone blitz, or the concepts of the 3-4. He was talking...
Steelers sign 2 players to reserve/future contracts
Former West Virginia offensive lineman Doug Nester was one of two players signed by the Steelers to reserve/future contracts Thursday. Wide receiver Brandon Smith, who played three games over the past two seasons for the New York Jets, also signed. Smith has also spent time on the practice squads of...
The Steelers signed Pat Freiermuth to be their TE1. What happened in ’25 that he wasn’t?
Three days before his game debut as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator — and on the eve of Pat Freiermuth signing a $48 million contract — Arthur Smith sounded downright giddy about the skillset of his No. 1 tight end. “He’s a unique player,” Smith said of Freiermuth on Sept. 5,...
Jeannette alum Marcus Barnes headed to UFL
Jeannette alum Marcus Barnes will continue his football career in the United Football League. Barnes was selected by the Columbus Aviators on the second day of the UFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound safety was a two-time All-Continental Athletic Association player who had nine career interceptions and made 69 tackles in...
Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel to return for 2026 season
Pitt’s most important player removed a major source of anxiety for coach Pat Narduzzi with an important announcement Thursday as quarterback Mason Heintschel intends to return to the Panthers for his sophomore year. Heintschel revealed he’ll be back at Pitt one day before the transfer portal window (Jan. 2-16) closes....
How does Steelers’ head coach opening compare with others around NFL?
Among the eight current coaching openings in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans have something the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t. That’s a clear plan at quarterback. Having that question already answered makes any job more attractive, but joining the Steelers comes with its own perks. Maybe...
Pirates sign top-20 prospect in Dominican shortstop with family ties to Hall of Famer
The Pittsburgh Pirates invested their top international signing bonus in a Dominican teenager who is the nephew of a Hall of Famer and cousin of one of the game’s most prodigious power hitters. The Pirates agreed Thursday to sign 16-year-old shortstop Wilton Guerrero Jr. for $1.95 million, as the top-20...
Knoch reinstates fired girls wrestling coach Logan Downes
Logan Downes is back coaching the Knoch girls wrestling team. A week after being fired from his position by the district after it received a complaint filed in relation to on-mat incidents at a tournament last month, the district decided to reversed its decision. After district official met with Downes...
Steelers request to interview Ejiro Evero, Jeff Hafley, Klay Kubiak
A trend is developing among the list of individuals the Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly requested to interview for their vacant head coaching position. As the list grew to eight Thursday, six are sitting NFL defensive coordinators. The names with defensive backgrounds added Thursday, according to the NFL Network, were Ejiro...
Facts and figures you might — or might not — have known about Mike Tomlin’s Steelers tenure
You may have heard that Mike Tomlin never had a losing season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the only head coach in NFL history to begin his coaching tenure with 19 consecutive non-losing seasons, a long-cited talking point among fans and media members touting the Steelers’ success under Tomlin....
