Steelers coaching buzz: Everest emerges as front runner

I mentioned on Thursday that the Steelers had spoken to former San Francisco 49ers coach Al Everest earlier in the week.

The Tribune Review reported over the weekend that the Steelers did interview Everest Friday afternoon. A source tells me Everest went through two days of interviews as Everest has emerged as the front runner for the Steelers special teams coordinator position.

Everest spent three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before being let go on January 5th. The 49ers struggled with their return game, which was the main reason that Everest was let go.

However, Everest is highly regarded around the league for his kick and punt coverage teams.

Assistant special teams coach Amos Jones will remain on the Steelers staff.

*Meanwhile, Kurt Schottenheimer who was born in McDonald, PA and graduated from Fort Cherry high school was highly interested in joining the Steelers coaching staff, a source close to Schottenheimer tells me, prior to Schottenheimer being named special teams coach for the San Francisco 49ers this afternoon.

Schottenheimer did reach out to the Steelers late last week.

Schottenheimer served as the Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach from 1989 to ’94. In 1987 and 1988, he coached the Browns special teams. Schottenheimer spent five seasons as a defensive coordinator. He was defensive coordinator for the Chiefs (1999-2000), Redskins (2001) and Lions (2002-2003).

Recently, Schottenheimer was the Green Bay Packers secondary coach from 2006-2008.

Schottenheimer interviewed for the San Francisco 49ers special teams coordinator position on Friday.

*Defensive backs coach Ray Horton is the front runner to become the defensive coordinator at the University of Houston. Horton interviewed for the position late last week and it’s believed that if an offer is made, he will take the job.

*If Pittsburgh is unable to land Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer who is their top choice, Randy Fichtner is under strong consideration to become the teams new quarterbacks coach.