The Steelers’ search for a new offensive line coach has turned to James Campen, who has been with two different teams after spending 15 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, a source has told the Post-Gazette.
Campen, 56, was the offensive line coach with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 but was let go when Chargers coach Anthony Lynn was fired. He was hired in 2019 as assistant head coach/offensive line coach on Freddie Kitchens’ staff with the Cleveland Browns but was not retained when Kitchens was fired after one season.
Tomlin is looking for a coach who also played in the NFL, and Campen fits the mold. He was a center for seven seasons (1987-93) with the Packers and New Orleans Saints.
Hank Fraley, who was interviewed last week at the Steelers’ South Side facility, is expected to return as offensive line coach with the Detroit Lions, according to the Detroit Free Press. Fraley is a Robert Morris graduate who played 11 seasons in the NFL.
Campen had been with the Packers from 2004 to 2018, moving up from a quality control coach to assistant offensive line coach to offensive line coach in 2007. He was given the additional title of run game coordinator in 2018 but was let go when Mike McCarthy was fired as head coach.
The Steelers want to change their running game and fired offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett after two seasons in that role.
Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and Twitter @gerrydulac.
First Published: January 27, 2021, 6:11 p.m.