The 2024 NFL head coaching hiring cycle concluded on February 1, with all eight league vacancies being filled. The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to encounter four of the newly appointed head coaches during the 2024 season. These matchups include a home game against the LA Chargers and away games against the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Washington Commanders.
Interestingly, despite being new to their respective teams, none of these four head coaches are rookies in the NFL coaching realm. Let’s take a closer look at the backgrounds and recent hires:
1. **LA Chargers – Jim Harbaugh:**
The LA Chargers made a significant splash by appointing Jim Harbaugh as their head coach. Harbaugh, with a notable nine-season stint coaching the Michigan Wolverines, boasts an impressive record in the Big Ten, culminating in a recent College Football Playoff National Championship. Having previously coached the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons, where he led a top-10 defense and a potent rushing offense, Harbaugh’s return to the NFL sparks speculation about potential reunions with former colleagues.
2. **Atlanta Falcons – Raheem Morris:**
Raheem Morris returns to the head coaching position for the Atlanta Falcons, having previously served as their interim head coach in the 2020 season. With an overall coaching record of 21-38 over three and a half seasons, Morris inherits an offense featuring promising talents like running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts. The Falcons, bolstered by defensive improvements in the previous season, anticipate an intriguing season under Morris’s guidance.
3. **Las Vegas Raiders – Antonio Pierce:**
The Las Vegas Raiders appointed Antonio Pierce, former linebackers coach, as their head coach. Pierce, previously the interim head coach from Week 8 onward in the prior season, witnessed a noteworthy defensive resurgence during his tenure. The Raiders’ defense, under Pierce, led the league with only 16 points per game allowed and tied for third in total sacks. His promotion suggests a promising future for a once-dismissed defensive unit.
4. **Washington Commanders – Dan Quinn:**
The Washington Commanders secured Dan Quinn, former defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, as their head coach. Quinn, with a coaching history that includes leading the Atlanta Falcons from 2015 to 2020, brings defensive expertise to the Commanders. While known for his defensive acumen, Quinn’s teams have showcased a pass-heavy approach, ranking top-eight in pass attempts and passing yards in several seasons. The potential addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator is a subject of speculation.
As the Steelers prepare for the 2024-25 NFL season, these intriguing matchups against the recently appointed head coaches add an extra layer of anticipation.
