Coaching Changes

The following brief item comes from an item in the Buffalo News:

"The Buffalo Bills could lose one of the assistant coaches on Dick Jauron's staff. Larry Zierlein, who was assistant offensive line coach last season under Jim McNally, received permission from the Bills to interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Zierlein, 61, and new Steelers coach Mike Tomlin served together on the same staff at the University of Louisville in 1999 and 2000. The Steelers are looking for an offensive line coach to replace Russ Grimm, who left to join the Arizona Cardinals staff."

Interestingly -- and despite what the article states -- Mr. Zierlein worked on the staff at the University of Cincinnati while Mike Tomlin was the secondary coach at the school (I can find no information that would indicate that either man coached at the University of Louisville), and also worked with Bruce Arians when Mr. Arians was offensive coordinator in Cleveland. Prior to his NFL and University of Cincinnati experiences Mr. Zierlein coached at Tulane (for two separate stints), LSU, and the University of Houston.

On the running back coach front, there is this item from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
"Coach Mike Tomlin is talking to former Arizona Cardinals running backs coach Kirby Wilson about taking a similar position with the Steelers.

Wilson would replace Dick Hoak, who retired after 45 seasons as a player and coach with the Steelers, the last 35 as running backs coach.

Wilson, 45, had been with the Cardinals since 2004 but was not retained by new Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, the Steelers' former offensive coordinator. Wilson was running backs coach in Tampa Bay (2002-03) when Tomlin was a secondary coach.

Previously, Wilson worked with the New England Patriots (1997-99) and Washington Redskins (2000). A former running back/wide receiver at Illinois, Wilson was a cornerback for two seasons in the Canadian Football League."

Finally, on a different matter entirely, it was very disappointing to see Darren Perry resign his position with the Steelers. His work has been outstanding, and everyone at Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic sees Mr. Perry as having a termendous upside potential as an NFL coach. However, Dick LeBeau's silence on Mr. Perry's departure seems to speak volumes.

The First Decision is a Winner - UPDATE

Update -- January 23, 2007 (11:24AM PST)
ESPN is reporting that it's official -- Bruce Arians has been promoted to offensive coordinator.

Original Posting
Call me optimistic to a fault but I'm already impressed with Mike Tomlin.

The decision to retain Dick LeBeau is a sign that Mr. Tomlin's assertions that he believes in playing fundamental football rather than being beholden to any particular scheme are certainly to be believed. While Mr. LeBeau is more than capable of coaching in a 4-3 defensive scheme if Mr. Tomlin was inclined to go in that direction, it seems very unlikely that Mr. LeBeau would be retained to implement a system in which he does not believe. Indeed, during his press conference Monday Mr. Tomlin insisted that "I think part of good coaching is doing what your guys do and what they do well." That kind of approach is the sign of a mature, confident football mind.

The other aspect of Mr. LeBeau's retention that is to be celebrated is the increased likelihood that Darren Perry will also be retained. Anyone who has read Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic with any regularity knows that Mr. Perry is a favorite here. His continued development under the tutelage of Mr. LeBeau -- someone about whom Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis said "[h]e taught me so much" -- helps ensure a smooth transition next offseason when Mr. Perry is elevated to defensive coordinator.

On the offensive side of the football, lacking any evidence to the contrary, the prediction here is that Mr. Tomlin will (like all football coaches) emphasize a strong running game. To that end the prediction here is that wide receiver coach Bruce Arians, who Ken Whisenhunt would love to bring to Phoenix, will be installed as the new Steelers offensive coordinator.

Of course Mr. Tomlin will have to replace running backs coach Dick Hoak who retired, wide receiver coach Bruce Arians who will be named offensive coordinator, special teams coach Kevin Spencer who left for Arizona, and offensive line coach Russ Grimm who is (no doubt) on his way out -- or is he? In an off-season in which the unexpected has come to pass perhaps there's one more surprise in store for all of us.

Bill Cowher's Replacement: The Internal Candidates

Sunday may be Bill Cowher's last game at Heinz Field (or maybe it won't be), and the rumors are already swirling as to who will be the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic has already provided a snapshot (both figuratively and literally) of the leading external candidates, now it's time to do the same for a couple of the Steelers coaches who will also be seriously considered.


Ken Whisenhunt (44 years old) - Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator (2004-Current)

• Tight ends coach - Pittsburgh Steelers (2001-2003)
• Tight ends coach - New York Jets (2000)
• Special teams coach - Cleveland Browns (1999)
• Tight ends coach - Baltimore Ravens (1997-1998)
• Special teams, Tight ends & H-backs coach - Vanderbilt University (1995-1996)

Was all but hired for the Oakland Raiders' head coaching position after Super Bowl XL before unexpectedly pulling out of consideration. Before the disaster that was the first half of the 2006 season the Steelers' offense had steadily improved under Whisenhunt -- who picked up where Mike Mularkey left off -- becoming more diverse and dynamic (i.e. they could run and pass with equal effectiveness).



Russ Grimm (46 years old) - Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach - Pittsburgh Steelers (2004-Current)

• Offensive line coach - Pittsburgh Steelers (2001-2003)
• Offensive line coach - Washington Redskins (1997-2000)
• Tight ends coach - Washington Redskins (1992-1996)

The only assistant coach under Bill Cowher to ever have been given the "Assistant Head Coach" title, which he received after nearly getting the head coaching position in Chicago -- that went instead to Lovie Smith. Was seriously considered for the head coach position in Detroit this past offseason, but was reportedly not one of the finalists for the job (it came down to Jim Haslett and Rod Marinelli). Under Mr. Grimm's leadership the Steelers offensive line has -- except for this season -- been one of the very best in the NFL.



Darren Perry (38 years old) - Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive backs coach (2004-2006)

• Assistant defensive backs coach -- Pittsburgh Steelers (2003)
• Safeties coach - Cincinnati Bengals (2002)

There is no way Darren Perry is going to be hired as the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the next head coach should choose Mr. Perry as the next Defensive Coordinator for the team. His work with the secondary, especially with the injuries suffered this season to Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark, and the free agent loss of Chris Hope, has been outstanding.