PFT reporting Grimm was offered PIT job

[nurnay]

If this has been posted, my apologies. PFT is saying Grimm was offered the job, but Goodell stepped in and encouraged Rooney to instead hire a minority coach. This rumor reeks of bull-pucky to me. Color me skeptical.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

 

[RonF]

Grimm Story

Not sure if this is true, but if it is, Grimm was poorly treated by the top brass of the Steelers.

From profootballtalk.com -- for what it's worth (which may not be much)


DID STEELERS YANK RUG FROM GRIMM?

As the media continues to try to understand the process that resulted in conflicting reports regarding whether the Steelers would hire Mike Tomlin or Russ Grimm to be the team's next head coach, the hot rumor at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama (where various league types currently are gathered) is that Grimm was indeed offered the job before it went to Tomlin.

As the story goes, the Steelers called Grimm on Saturday and told him not to believe what the media was reporting about Tomlin. Then, the Steelers and Grimm negotiated a contract, and Grimm was told that he could tell his family that he was the guy, which he did.

But then, as the story goes, Commissioner Roger Goodell got involved and suggested to Steelers chairman Dan Rooney that it would be nice if the Steeler would hire one of the minority candidates, given that the Rooney Rule was named after him. Rooney relented.

On Sunday morning, Rooney met with Art II and Kevin Colbert and told them about the decision. Both initially disagreed because a deal had been done with Grimm. But the contract hadn't been signed, and Art II and Colbert deferred to Dan.

Grimm was then told about the decision, and he was obviously mad. But, to date, he has been discreet regarding his displeasure, presumably because he plans to continue working in the industry that has only 32 job locations. Tomlin was then called on Sunday afternoon, and he was informed that he was the guy.

One source told us that he has been hearing this rumor "all day" in Alabama. Though we're not saying that any of this actually happened, the mere fact that this story is making the rounds at the Senior Bowl is newsworthy, in our opinion.

Especially since the events that transpired on Saturday night and Sunday were so damn bizarre.

Meanwhile, a reader tells us that Mike Prisuta of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has been insisting in radio appearances that his story linking Grimm to the job was on the money. Though we poked fun at Prisuta's predicament on Sunday, it could be that he was right, after all.

 

[40yearfan]

Man, if Mr. B had done something like this, the fans here would have cruicified him on a real cross.

I somehow find it hard to believe that a football man like Rooney with his legacy would have done this. But then again, he's even older than I am.

 

[RonF]

It sure will be interesting when we Play Pittsburgh at home next year. I can't wait, Pittsburgh East against Pittsburgh West.

 

[Covert Rain]

Not sure if this is true, but if it is, Grimm was poorly treated by the top brass of the Steelers.

From profootballtalk.com -- for what it's worth (which may not be much)


DID STEELERS YANK RUG FROM GRIMM?

As the media continues to try to understand the process that resulted in conflicting reports regarding whether the Steelers would hire Mike Tomlin or Russ Grimm to be the team's next head coach, the hot rumor at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama (where various league types currently are gathered) is that Grimm was indeed offered the job before it went to Tomlin.

As the story goes, the Steelers called Grimm on Saturday and told him not to believe what the media was reporting about Tomlin. Then, the Steelers and Grimm negotiated a contract, and Grimm was told that he could tell his family that he was the guy, which he did.

But then, as the story goes, Commissioner Roger Goodell got involved and suggested to Steelers chairman Dan Rooney that it would be nice if the Steeler would hire one of the minority candidates, given that the Rooney Rule was named after him. Rooney relented.

On Sunday morning, Rooney met with Art II and Kevin Colbert and told them about the decision. Both initially disagreed because a deal had been done with Grimm. But the contract hadn't been signed, and Art II and Colbert deferred to Dan.

Grimm was then told about the decision, and he was obviously mad. But, to date, he has been discreet regarding his displeasure, presumably because he plans to continue working in the industry that has only 32 job locations. Tomlin was then called on Sunday afternoon, and he was informed that he was the guy.

One source told us that he has been hearing this rumor "all day" in Alabama. Though we're not saying that any of this actually happened, the mere fact that this story is making the rounds at the Senior Bowl is newsworthy, in our opinion.

Especially since the events that transpired on Saturday night and Sunday were so damn bizarre.

Meanwhile, a reader tells us that Mike Prisuta of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has been insisting in radio appearances that his story linking Grimm to the job was on the money. Though we poked fun at Prisuta's predicament on Sunday, it could be that he was right, after all.

This is not that far fetched considiring Rooney is the one that pushed the rule about interviewing minority coaches. It was Rooney's push that turned that into a rule to begin with and was probably politely reminded of that when he got the call.

 

[ajcardfan]

Well, the Rooney's admitted they talked numbers and that they were sorry if he "misunderstood". So, there really could be something to this one. Even if he hadn't talked contract, he would've felt shafted. I remember a news story from Pitt after Whisenhunt was hired talking about how Grimm was still the first one in the complex and the last to leave. That hard work didn't pay off for him.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

It may be 100% true but the thing that doesn't make sense to me is why would Goodell meddle in a teams coaching search? It's not like he told the Cards to hire Jim Caldwell, the Raiders to hire Lofton, or the Dolphins to hire Tim Lewis.

 

[Gambit]

I think it has more to do with Rooney being senile than the Commish forcing hires on owners.

 

[ajcardfan]

It may be 100% true but the thing that doesn't make sense to me is why would Goodell meddle in a teams coaching search? It's not like he told the Cards to hire Jim Caldwell, the Raiders to hire Lofton, or the Dolphins to hire Tim Lewis.

We heard that the league office encouraged the Cards to hire Dennis Green. So, if they do meddle, they probably shouldn't.

 

[Billy Flynt]

If this has been posted, my apologies.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

Your apology should be for quoting Pro Football Talk!!!

 

[blindseyed]

Who cares, WE GOT HIM!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I think it has more to do with Rooney being senile than the Commish forcing hires on owners.

I think Al Davis is as senile as you can get.

 

[seesred]

I'm happy that he started the rule. I'm sad because the good fans in the Burgh have to settle for seconds. I truly don't mean this in a racial way, but if the Steelers thought that Grimm was the guy until someone outside the organization told them otherwise. People should be hired on ability and past performance plus do they fit the mold they are looking for and nothing else IMO.

GBR
40

 

[RedStorm]

If true then this speaks very well of Grimm and how he handled the situation.

 

[RedStorm]

I'm happy that he started the rule. I'm sad because the good fans in the Burgh have to settle for seconds. I truly don't mean this in a racial way, but if the Steelers thought that Grimm was the guy until someone outside the organization told them otherwise. People should be hired on ability and past performance plus do they fit the mold they are looking for and nothing else IMO.

GBR
40

Should be this way for any hire in any job for any profession.