‘I’m not job-chasing’: Ticats’ head coach Orlondo Steinauer downplays University of Washington speculation

Photo courtesy: CFL

Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Orlondo Steinauer continues to downplay speculation linking him to a Power Five conference job in the NCAA.

“I can look everybody in the eye and say that I have not been contacted by the University of Washington for their defensive coordinator job, either by Kalen DeBoer or by anybody from the university,” Steinauer said on Tuesday.

The Huskies recently hired DeBoer as head coach and he has yet to officially hire a person run the defence. DeBoer was on the same coaching staff when Steinauer spent one season with the Fresno State University Bulldogs in 2017. He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach while Steinauer held the defensive coordinator position.

“In this profession it feels good to be wanted, there’s championship windows and windows for coaches too. That’s why I truly mean: I’m where my feet are planted. When I was at Fresno State, I was excited to be there. When I came back, I was excited to be here,” Steinauer said.

“I’m not job-chasing, you don’t know what opportunities arise in life, no matter what profession — I think it’s a compliment. As far as people wondering about my future, I appreciate it and we’ll cross that if anything comes up.”

DeBoer signed a five-year contract with Washington worth over $16.5 million in total and it will pay him $3.1 million for the 2022 season. Steinauer could net over $1 million per season if he was to sign on with the Huskies, which would be more than double his current salary with the black and gold.

Joining Washington would be a homecoming for Steinauer who was born in Seattle, went to nearby Lynnwood High School and earned a football scholarship to Western Washington University.

While leading the Ticats, Steinauer has produced a 23-9 record (.719 win percentage) with a 3-3 playoff mark and helped Hamilton reach two consecutive CFL championship games, but twice failed to capture his first ring as a head coach in the three-down league.

Justin Dunk
Justin Dunk is a football insider, sports reporter and anchor.