Another candidate for the Steelers’ general manager position has emerged. The team will be conducting a second interview with Doug Whaley, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). 
[RELATED: Steelers To Hold Second Interviews With Cowden, Spytek]
Whaley began his tenure in NFL front offices with the Steelers. He was hired by Pittsburgh in 2000 as a pro personnel coordinator, beginning years of tutelage under outgoing general manager Kevin Colbert. One decade later, he joined the Bills under the titles of assistant general manager and director of pro personnel, which he held for three seasons before becoming general manager.
Whaley’s tenure at the helm in Buffalo saw plenty of roster and coaching staff turnover. In 2015, he was part of the group that hired Rex Ryan as head coach – a stint which lasted less than two full seasons. More encouragingly, he was also involved in the hiring process for Ryan’s replacement, current HC Sean McDermott. It was during the latter’s first season that the team matched its best record under Whaley at 9-7.
Despite the lack of team success on the field – a result, in part, of decisions like trading up to draft Sammy Watkins fourth overall and signing Marcell Dareus to a lucrative contract – Whaley received an extension after the 2016 season. That came amidst speculation regarding his job security, ultimately becoming a moot point one year later. He was fired immediately after the 2017 draft.
That was the last time Whaley worked in an NFL front office. After a brief stint as a recruiter for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, he was hired as a part of the re-started XFL. After the announcement of another re-booting of the league, it was announced in November he would regain his role working alongside the likes of Russ Brandon and Marc Ross.
With the news of a third second-interview candidate in Pittsburgh, here is an updated look at their search:
- Morocco Brown, college scouting director (Colts): Interviewed
- Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers): Interviewed
- Ryan Cowden, vice president of player personnel (Titans): To conduct second interview
- Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Interviewed 2/4
- Joe Hortiz, director of player personnel (Ravens): Interviewed
- Brandon Hunt, pro scouting director (Steelers): Interviewed
- Omar Khan, vice president of football and business administration (Steelers): Interviewed
- Dan Morgan, assistant general manager (Panthers): Interviewed
- Jerry Reese, former general manager (Giants): Interviewed
- Louis Riddick, former director of pro personnel (Eagles): Interviewed
- Rick Spielman, former general manager (Vikings): Interviewed
- John Spytek, director of player personnel (Buccaneers): To conduct second interview
- Andy Weidl, vice president of player personnel (Eagles): Interviewed
- Doug Whaley, vice president of player personnel (XFL): To conduct second interview
- John Wojciechowski, co-director of player personnel (Packers): Interviewed
- JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel (Chargers): Interviewed by 2/4
this list is insane
can’t wait to see who it is
KC was a legend . huge shoes to fill
This would be a hilarious hire. Easily one of the absolute worst executives in the sport. I hope they do it. The Steelers will be the laughing stock of the league within 3 years
Like you are now.
No, he is 100% correct, and I say this as a Steelers fan.
He’s right. Whaley was a horrible GM and it took three years for Beane to overcome the cap hell he put them in and get rid of most of his bad draft picks (so much overreach). As a Bills fan, I should be encouraging this hire.
What’s he gonna do, draft a running back in the first round and then kick the QB succession plan to a draft without strong QB prospects?
Sadly the old Steeler mystique is fading away. Someone in Buffalo has done a great job assembling the team up there? Not sure really gets the credit? But under the guidelines mandated by the NFL they are required to look at certain people as candidates. Remember, its no longer your qualifications or success in previous positions that grant you additional jobs. SO…..don’t expect a pick that everyone says: HELL YEAH! That was the obvious choice. Expect a pick that socially permisable!
Wow, stupid and a racist. Your mom and dad did a great job. Maybe, you’d be happier watching NASCAR, skippy?
Nah madman he seems like the type who would boycott Nascar for allowing Bubba Wallace to drive.
Combating racism with racism?……..nice
Agreed “Comments”, thank you.
Just like the Tomlin hire blew up in their face?
Whaley’s no Tomlin. There are many better prospects available to Pittsburgh…
Read the initial post I’m responding to.
“Certain people”. If you don’t even have the balls to say it, don’t imply it. And feel free to come conveniently ignore that Whaley is both qualified and a former Steeler employee, I wouldn’t want to injure your narrative.
Normally you can pretty easily predict the direction the Steelers are going to go. But I’ve got no clue who this hire is going to be, and I don’t think anyone else really does either. This whole process has been kind of fascinating, even if they do end up staying in-house with Khan or Hunt, both of whom are easily qualified.
This is my main beef with the heavily bloated executive and coaching staffs the NFL now favors. Almost every important decision will become a drawn out saga because everyone will be asked to supply input and add their two cent opinion. I miss Al Davis who wasn’t always right but at least had the cajones to stand up and be a leader instead of hiding behind a committee.
While I agree with your theory in general, I don’t in this case. This is the first GM this team will have had in 20 years, on a team that notoriously likes to do it’s own thing, and also a team who usually seems to have promoted from within and NOT involved as many voices as possible. I’m fine with both the way this process is going and how long it’s taking, because in this case I think they want to take their time, consider all available ideas, but in the end get it right. This is not a team that fires people; they’re hiring for the long haul.
Doing their “own thing” has worked pretty well for the Steelers the past couple of decades and kept them in contention most years. It looks like they just want the safety of being like everyone else now though. Time will tell if the committee approach works for them but I’m less optimistic they’ll have the success they had before.
I want Louis Riddick
Even if he doesn’t get the head job I would love to see him somehow involved with the Steelers. Riddick impresses me.
Let’s hope there’s a better candidate than this guy