(Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
The Steelers' new offensive line coach won't be Hank Fraley, who reportedly interviewed for the vacant position on Thursday. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Fraley will be back with the Lions under new head coach Dan Campbell's coaching staff. Fraley was the Lions' offensive line coach this past year.
Steelers' wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard interviewed for the Lions' offensive coordinator position but didn't get it. Campbell hired former Chargers' head coach Anthony Lynn for the role.
Fraley played at Robert Morris and was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2000. Fraley never played a down with the Steelers in the regular season but went on to have an 11-year career at center in the NFL.
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the delay by the Steelers in naming an offensive coordinator to replace Randy Fichtner is because Mike Tomlin wants to first hire an offensive line coach to change their running game. It was reported last Saturday that quarterbacks coach Matt Canada is expected to be promoted to offensive coordinator, but it has not been made official yet.
Per Dulac, Tomlin wants to make sure whatever changes a new offensive line coach wants or needs to make meshes with the philosophy of his offensive coordinator. Dulac says sources have told him Tomlin wants to hire the line coach as soon as possible.
Former Browns' head coach Hue Jackson has also reportedly interviewed for the Steelers' offensive coordinator job, and Chargers' quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton is interviewing for the Titans' offensive coordinator job and with the Steelers for the same position in the coming days.
Fraley has been the only reported interview for the Steelers' offensive line position after the team didn't renew Shaun Sarrett's contract following the 2020 season.