According to Pittsburgh Steelers, Hank Fraley is taking in for an interview for their attacking subject coach, according to Tom Pelissero, NFL Network.
The # Steelers interviewed Hank Fraley for their offensive coaching job Thursday, per source. Fraley – a one-time standout from Robert Morris, who originally signed with Pittsburgh in 2000 as an unknown free agent – held the same position with the # Lions last season.
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) 21 January 2021
As Pelissero’s tweet indicates, Fraley was the Detroit Lions’ attacking coach earlier in 2020. He was let go when a new regime came in place of Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn.
Fraley’s football career soon began with the Pittsburgh Steelers and in 2000 he signed as a UDFA. He found his NFL position with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he started 71 games from 2001 to 2005 before having a successful career with the Cleveland Browns from 2006 to 2008. He finished his career at the St. Louis Rams in 2010.
As a coach, Fraley started at San Diego in 2012. He held the same position at San Jose State the following year, receiving his first NFL coaching game in 2014 and spending three seasons as the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line coach. He returned to college in 2017 as UCLA’s o-line coach (replacing current Steelers assistant coach Adrian Klemm) before returning to the NFL since the Lions since 2018. He initially served as assistant coach before being promoted to full-time duties in 2020.
Fraley has the mix of Steelers’ ties with a lot of NFL playing and coaching experience. The Steelers have seen the benefit of that with Mike Munchak and are clearly looking for a higher with a similar resume (although few people can touch Munchak’s Hall of Fame achievements).
Gerry Dulac reported earlier today that the Steelers plan to appoint an offensive line coach before filling their vacant coordinator position. Shortly after the 2020 season ended, Pittsburgh announced that they would not renew Shaun Sarrett’s contract. Emphasis remains in the staff.