Munchak: Timing not right to pursue Cardinals’ coaching job
Jan 17, 2018, 8:19 AM | Updated: 3:13 pm
This is a 2017 photo of Mike Munchak of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL football team. This image reflects the Pittsburgh Steelers active roster as of Thursday, June 8, 2017 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
The list of potential head coaches for the Arizona Cardinals keeps getting shorter, but it’s not because all their candidates are getting jobs elsewhere.
Scratch Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak off the list for a different reason.
Following reports of turning down the opportunity for a second interview with Arizona, Munchak confirmed on Wednesday that the timing was not right for him to pursue the opportunity.
Munchak said he will remain with Pittsburgh, which on Wednesday announced it would not retain offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
#Steelers Offensive Line Coach Mike Munchak statement on remaining in Pittsburgh: pic.twitter.com/s4sK84fNIS
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) January 17, 2018
Steelers’ OL coach Mike Munchak has turned down the chance for a second HC interviews with the Arizona Cardinals, per @mortreport. Munchak our and Patriots’ LB coach Brian Flores now in play.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 17, 2018
So with Munchak no longer a possibility, the Cardinals’ search will center around Philadelphia quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores, Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and possibly their incumbent defensive coordinator, James Bettcher.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday that DeFilippo would participate in a second interview with Arizona brass once the Eagles’ season ends. Philadelphia will host the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
Known for his time as a nine-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman for the Houston Oilers, Munchak has been Pittsburgh’s offensive line coach since 2014.
The 57-year-old had one head coaching gig in the NFL with the Titans from 2011-2013, guiding them to a 22-26 record. His best season at the helm was his first, when the Titans finished 9-7 in 2011 for a second place in the AFC South.
One year after retiring as a player in 1994, Munchak worked with the Oilers before becoming the offensive line coach for the franchise in Tennessee in 1997. He would hold that position for over a decade until 2011 when he was promoted to head coach to replace Jeff Fisher.
For the latest on the Arizona Cardinals’ coaching search, tune in to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station and visit ArizonaSports.com.
