Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coaching Update Thread

[SeattleCard]

This reminds me of the Dave McGinnis / Bears phantom hiring...

 

[az jam]

Sounds like a bogus internet report. Makes no sense for them not to wait and interview Rivera. Only other job open is the Raider job and none of the Steeler candidates have interviewed there. No reason for Pitt to rush.

 

[D-Dogg]

Sounds like a bogus internet report. Makes no sense for them not to wait and interview Rivera. Only other job open is the Raider job and none of the Steeler candidates have interviewed there. No reason for Pitt to rush.

Not internet report...Sports Illustrated broke it.

Sounds like they aren't announcing it but it may be done behind the scenes.

 

[Red Dawn]

Tomlin says he hasnt talked to Rooney today in this story updated Jan. 20, 2007, 4:07 PM ET.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2732197

PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers have narrowed their wish list of candidates to replace Bill Cowher to three names -- Russ Grimm, Ron Rivera and Mike Tomlin -- but have not yet made a decision on their next head coach.

A report on Sports Illustrated's Web site, SI.com, on Saturday indicated that Tomlin had been chosen as the successor to Cowher, but the Vikings' defensive coordinator told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that no decision had been made.

"It is untrue," Tomlin said of the report. "I have no idea where it's coming from. I have not talked to the Rooneys today."

Sources also told ESPN.com's John Clayton that the report was incorrect, and the Steelers are not expected to make a decision Saturday.

The team also did not confirm the report Saturday.

"We have heard all the rumors, and we have nothing to confirm at this point," Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Tomlin and Grimm, the only remaining in-house candidate, both had their second interviews earlier this week. The Steelers can't talk to Rivera again until the Bears are eliminated from the playoffs. Chicago plays New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

The Steelers' diligence in finding Cowher's successor cost them offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, a move that leaves offensive line coach Grimm as the possible front-runner.

"We are pleased with the progress of our search to date,'' Steelers president Art Rooney II said Monday in a statement issued by the team. "We now will move into the second interview phase and we are confident that each of the candidates on our short list will be excellent head coaches in the NFL. It is our task to determine which one is the best candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers at this point in time.

"Our time frame remains as it was in the beginning. We will conclude the search when we have found the best coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Whisenhunt, one of the NFL's top offensive coaches, took the Arizona Cardinals' job Sunday rather than waiting to see if he would be promoted by Pittsburgh. He will be officially introduced by the Cardinals at a news conference Tuesday.

While Whisenhunt was widely considered around the NFL to be Cowher's heir apparent, the Steelers gave no such indication after Cowher resigned Jan. 5. Also, they apparently didn't make a counteroffer to persuade Whisenhunt to stay.

Grimm also interviewed with the Cardinals, but unlike Whisenhunt, didn't get a second interview.

Tomlin had an excellent interview with the Steelers and, like Cowher in 1992, is an on-the-rise candidate despite being only 34 and having minimal experience as an NFL coordinator. Tomlin took over the Vikings' defense this season.

Hiring Grimm, however, would provide the Steelers continuity from one coaching regime to another and would allow them to keep most of their assistant coaches. All are under contract for next season, but a coach hired from outside the organization would likely want to choose his own staff.

Even if Grimm takes over, Whisenhunt's departure is expected to create some changes in the Steelers' offense.

Whisenhunt may take quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple with him as offensive coordinator, meaning the two coaches who have closely worked with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the last three seasons would be gone.

The 47-year-old Grimm, a Pittsburgh-area native and former Pitt star, won three Super Bowls as a Redskins offensive lineman. He is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and has clearly had the respect of the Steelers in his six seasons as an assistant. He was also a Redskins assistant from 1992-2000.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Just to pat myself on the back - I named this guy as a potential Cardinal coach about 6 months ago when in reference to his great work with the Cover -2 Defense.

I think this will be a good hiring for Pitt....but I'm much happier we got Whiz...

 

[Redsz]

If the Steelers are saying 'no comment' you can gurantee that this is legit.

 

[Red Hawk]

This reminds me of the Dave McGinnis / Bears phantom hiring...

More recent Sherman/cards hiring.

 

[Renz]

Sounds like a bogus internet report. Makes no sense for them not to wait and interview Rivera. Only other job open is the Raider job and none of the Steeler candidates have interviewed there. No reason for Pitt to rush.

Unless they are worried that most of the available asst. coaches will be hired by the time Rivera becomes available.

 

[JeffGollin]

Could the creator of this thread possibly add the word - "Unconfirmed:" to the beginning of the topic line?

 

[Evil Ash]

Could the creator of this thread possibly add the word - "Unconfirmed:" to the beginning of the topic line?

I can't but can a mod please make the changes please

 

[Totally_Red]

Sounds like a bogus internet report. Makes no sense for them not to wait and interview Rivera. Only other job open is the Raider job and none of the Steeler candidates have interviewed there. No reason for Pitt to rush.

It ain't bogus till PFT reports it.

 

[TruColor]

It ain't bogus till PFT reports it.

I'm beginning to think that applies to everything in life.

 

[az jam]

Steelers | Tomlin denies being hired
Sat, 20 Jan 2007 14:42:45 -0800

Updating a previous item, ESPN.com reports Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin has denied a SportsIllustrated.com report that he has been hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers as their next head coach. Tomlin told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that no decision has been made. "It is untrue. I have no idea where it's coming from. I have not talked to the Rooneys today," Tomlin said. Sources told ESPN.com's John Clayton the report was incorrect, and the team is not expected to make a decision Saturday, Jan. 20.

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

Now Chris Mortison(sp) confirms it per ESPN

 

[DRVNFAST]

Confirmed on ESPN just now.

 

[az jam]

ESPN Now Confirms it is going to be Tomlin

Sources: Steelers set to name Vikes' Tomlin as coachESPN.com news services


PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to name Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin as their new head coach, ESPN's Chris Mortensen confirmed Saturday night.

Sources told Mortensen that the team would announce Tomlin as coach either Sunday or Monday. Tomlin would become only the third Steelers coach in 38 years, and the first black head coach in their 74-year history.

Tomlin, a former Tampa Bay assistant, has been the coordinator for just one season under Brad Childress in Minnesota. Before that, he was a Buccaneers' secondary coach, a five-year spell that included installation of the teams' trademark "Tampa-2" scheme. He was an assistant coach in the collegiate ranks from 1995 to 2000.

Sports Illustrated's Web site, SI.com, first reported that Pittsburgh had decided on Tomlin earlier Saturday. Steelers owner Dan Rooney told The Associated Press he had no comment. Team president Art Rooney II, leaving the team's practice complex Saturday, said he had nothing to say.

A person with knowledge of the search denied Tomlin has been hired, telling the AP that not only has the job not been offered but there have been no contract negotiations. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Steelers do not want details of the search made public until they have made their choice.

Tomlin and Grimm, the Steelers' offensive line coach and only remaining in-house candidate, both had their second interviews earlier this week. The Steelers couldn't talk to Rivera again until the Bears are eliminated from the playoffs. Chicago plays New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

The Steelers' diligence in finding Cowher's successor cost them offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, a move that leaves Grimm as the possible front-runner.

Whisenhunt, one of the NFL's top offensive coaches, took the Arizona Cardinals' job Sunday rather than waiting to see if he would be promoted by Pittsburgh. He will be officially introduced by the Cardinals at a news conference Tuesday.

While Whisenhunt was widely considered around the NFL to be Cowher's heir apparent, the Steelers gave no such indication after Cowher resigned Jan. 5. Also, they apparently didn't make a counteroffer to persuade Whisenhunt to stay.

Grimm also interviewed with the Cardinals, but unlike Whisenhunt, didn't get a second interview.

Tomlin had an excellent interview with the Steelers and, like Cowher in 1992, is an on-the-rise candidate despite being only 34 and having minimal experience as an NFL coordinator. Tomlin took over the Vikings' defense this season.

Whisenhunt may take quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple with him as offensive coordinator, meaning the two coaches who have closely worked with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the last three seasons would be gone.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[asuhoopsnut]

What a crazy 2 days this has been in Pittsburgh. They are now reporting that Grimm has been offered and accepted the Head Coaching position for the Steelers. Here's the link.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/

 

[Evil Ash]

If the Bears lose their game tomorrow I fully expect a report that Rivera has been offered and accepted the Steelers job.

At least somebody would be right.

 

[Big Deal]

LOL!

Looks like Tomlin talked with Fox on Saturday night and is still denying.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6379790

 

[Redsz]

Wow. This is crazy. SI and ESPN say that PIT has settled on Tomlin but they haven't offered him the job. While the local paper says that Grimm is the guy and he has accepted the job.

Who to believe?!

 

[njlawrence]

Sooooo maybe the Steelers should hire a HC more often so they can get some practice with leak avoidance. Not very professional treatment for the final candidates.

 

[Big Deal]

Tomlin said that he was told they were going to sleep on it and make a decision on Sunday. Do you think they jumped the gun and got nervous from a negative reaction form the Tomlin rumors?

 

[Gambit]

Tomlin said that he was told they were going to sleep on it and make a decision on Sunday. Do you think they jumped the gun and got nervous from a negative reaction form the Tomlin rumors?

Entirely possible. Now we see yet another reason the Wiz wanted to get out--Rooney is senile

 

[Goldfield]

Insanity!

 

[Cards Czar]

Russ Grimm Pittsburgh's New Head Coach?

Its been posted that Russ Grimm has accepted the HC for the Steelers !

So many rumors but heres the stroy.




http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_489602.html



Navy Mike