Mike Tomlin To The Steelers

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:11 pm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/f ... index.html

Steelers choose Vikes' Tomlin to succeed Cowher
Saturday January 20, 2007 1:02PM

By Michael Silver, SI.com

Mike Tomlin, defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, will be named head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers either Saturday or Sunday, SI.com has learned.

Tomlin, 34, impressed the Steelers during the interview process with his organization skills, intelligence and grasp of the game, according to a source familiar with the coaching search.

He succeeds Bill Cowher, who resigned Jan. 5 after 15 seasons as the Steelers' coach.

Tomlin beat out Russ Grimm, 47, a Steelers assistant for six seasons and their assistant head coach for three, who had been considered the front-runner. The other finalist for the job was Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.

Before joining the Vikings a year ago, Tomlin had spent five years as a defensive coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before that, he was a college assistant at Cincinnati, Arkansas State, Memphis and Virginia Military Institute.

Tomlin will become only the third Steelers head coach in 38 years and the NFL's sixth African-American head coach.

Soooo... now what?

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:49 pm

Bring back Foge, he's not cold yet!

sachishi4 · Post by **sachishi4** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:50 pm

tomlin has not taken the job

false reports by SI

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:53 pm

Conflicting reports...

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

Grimm, Tomlin, Rivera still in running for Steelers job
ESPN.com news services

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.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:31 pm

Now ESPN is confirming SI's story

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

Sources: Steelers set to name Vikes' Tomlin as coach
ESPN.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.

ChuckNorrisIsMyHomeboy · Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:08 pm

EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:Now ESPN is confirming SI's story

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

Sources: Steelers set to name Vikes' Tomlin as coach
ESPN.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.

Cool. Nice to know the Offense did not completly waste a great defensive season last year without the oppurtunity to get the same defensive coaching next year.

Oh, wait. It did.

schwang17 · Post by **schwang17** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:37 pm

Does this mean he can take Childress with him?

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:03 am

Now they just reported that the Steelers are still gonna interview a Bears assistant after their game on Sunday. Steelers and Tomlin are unhappy about these premature reports.

schwang17 · Post by **schwang17** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:31 pm

Which means Tomlin is their man.

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:39 pm

schwang17 wrote:Which means Tomlin is their man.

You are probably right.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:28 pm

Now SI is rebuffing

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/f ... index.html

Despite rumors, Steelers without deal with new coach
Sunday January 21, 2007 12:46PM

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- With differing reports that they have chosen Mike Tomlin or Russ Grimm, the Pittsburgh Steelers do not expect to reach an agreement with their new coach until at least Monday.

The Steelers, who have spent 2 1/2 weeks looking for Bill Cowher's successor, issued a statement Sunday announcing, in effect, they had nothing to announce.

"At this point and time, the Steelers have not concluded a contract agreement with a new head coach, nor do we expect to do so today," Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said in the statement. "There will be no other announcements from this office today."

Even though the Steelers have not interviewed any candidates since meeting with Tomlin for 3 1/2 hours Tuesday and Grimm for six hours Wednesday, there were a flurry of rumors and conflicting accounts Saturday.

SI.com, Sports Illustrated's Web site, and, later, ESPN.com, reported the Steelers had decided on Tomlin. However, a source with knowledge of the search told The Associated Press the Steelers had not yet offered a contract to the Vikings defensive coordinator or begun contract talks with him.

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.

The Tomlin report clearly surprised the Steelers, with owner Dan Rooney saying there was nothing to the story.

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review -- citing unidentified sources -- reported that Grimm, the Steelers' assistant head coach, was the choice rather than Tomlin. The Steelers had no comment about that report, either.

Still uncertain is whether the Steelers will have another interview with Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, their third finalist. He is the only one of the three to not have a second interview.

If the Bears lost the NFC championship game Sunday to New Orleans, Rivera could talk with the Steelers as early as Monday night. If not, they would have to wait until after the Super Bowl, something they almost certainly would not do.

If the 34-year-old Tomlin is the choice, he would be the fourth consecutive coach hired by the Steelers who was an assistant coach in his 30s with another team before going to Pittsburgh. Bill Austin was 37 when he was chosen in 1966, as was Chuck Noll in 1969. Cowher was 34 when he picked in 1992.

Dan Rooney either made the choice or was involved in hiring all three coaches.

If it is Grimm, he would be the first Steelers' head coach to be promoted from within since Mike Nixon took over in training camp 1965 following the sudden resignation of Buddy Parker, who had signed a three-year contract extension earlier that year. Nixon lasted one season, going 2-12, before Austin took over.

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:33 pm

This is awfully confusing. Somebody within the Steelers organization is really screwing up as far as letting things leak go. I'd like to see them choose somebody other than Tomlin. I want to see him work the with the defense for at least another year.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:48 pm

I agree BB, but at the same time he is going to get a head coaching job in the near future and I'd like to see him do well. The Steelers are a very good team to start with and I think he would do very well. So if he gets a job, I want it to be with them.

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:52 pm

EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:I agree BB, but at the same time he is going to get a head coaching job in the near future and I'd like to see him do well. The Steelers are a very good team to start with and I think he would do very well. So if he gets a job, I want it to be with them.

True, he is a lock for a job very soon, and this would be a great one for him. It appears he is one the few good decisions Childress has made, so losing him seems like it would be another step backwards for the team. I wish him nothing but the best though, he definitely has a bright future and if the Steelers are offering him the job, he certainly will have a great opportunity to succeed.

schwang17 · Post by **schwang17** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:11 pm

Completely agree. I wish Tomlin well, I just wish he would stick around another year or 2.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:20 pm

The Steelers are waiting on the Bears D coordinator Chico Rivera.

This is one of those deals where the superbowl coordinators can't get head jobs because those teams in need of coaches don't want to wait until February to hire someone.

If the Bears go to the superbowl, Tomlin most likely gets it, if the Bears lose this afternoon, Rivera gets it. Doesn't make sense, but Weis and Cronnell went through it.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:29 pm

Actually they switched the rules because of Weis & Romeo. They used to not be able to have contact with them, now they get at least a 1st interview and then have to wait until they are eliminated.

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:01 pm

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

Yet another story that has "confirmed" Tomlin is the guy. The term confirmed has been thrown around a bit loosely regarding this job, but it looks like Tomlin may have finally locked it down as multiple sources are reporting it.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:34 pm

Come on BB, didn't you read? We already have that story...

With the Bears winning, it is nearly certain that Tomlin will be the Steeler's coach

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:36 pm

EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:Come on BB, didn't you read? We already have that story...

With the Bears winning, it is nearly certain that Tomlin will be the Steeler's coach

I'm a freakin' idiot.

I linked the wrong story.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:07 am

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/f ... index.html

Steelers tab Tomlin as club's 3rd head coach since '69
Monday January 22, 2007 2:48AM

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Mike Tomlin is proof the NFL's Rooney Rule is working out exactly like it was intended.

Tomlin was a not-widely-known Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant coach less than two years ago and was a college assistant as late as 2000. On Monday, the Steelers are expected to introduce Tomlin as only their third coach in 38 years and the first black head coach in their 74-year history.

Tomlin accepted the job Sunday and was negotiating a four-year contract that is expected to pay him about $2.5 million per year, a source close to the Steelers' search told The Associated Press. The deal should be completed Monday.

The source requested anonymity because the Steelers were withholding all information about Bill Cowher's replacement until they can hold a news conference.

Not long ago, before Steelers owner Dan Rooney successfully lobbied in 2002 for a rule that requires all NFL teams to interview minority candidates for coaching jobs, the 34-year-old Tomlin might not have been targeted by the Steelers.

But after a successful first season as Minnesota's defensive coordinator, Tomlin's name was one of about a dozen on a list of qualified minority candidates given Rooney at a mid-December meeting in New York. Rooney is the chairman of the NFL Committee on Workplace Diversity.

The very intent of the Rooney Rule was to give coaches such as Tomlin a forum to display their credentials. And Tomlin was chosen largely because of the motivation, enthusiasm and organizational skills he showed in two strong interviews with Rooney, team president Art Rooney II and director of football operations Kevin Colbert.

"It's humbling," Tomlin said last week of being in the running for one of the most high-profile jobs in pro sports. "These are great football people. I've got a great deal of respect for what they do and what they've done. It's just a very humbling experience to be involved in but, at the same time, professional football is what I do and I'm a competitor like everyone else."

Tomlin's hiring completed a 21/2-week search in which he was initially viewed as an unlikely choice behind perceived front-runners Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, but Whisenhunt later accepted the Arizona Cardinals' job.

Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, the other finalist with Grimm and Tomlin, did not get a second interview because the Steelers would have had to wait until Feb. 5 to meet with him again. Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey, recommended by Cowher, also didn't get a second interview.

Tomlin will be the fourth consecutive Steelers coach who was a defensive assistant coach in his 30s with another team before being hired by them. Bill Austin was 37 when he was chosen in 1966, as was Chuck Noll in 1969. Cowher was 34 in 1992.

What could be tricky is assimilating Tomlin's preference for the 4-3 defense into a Steelers system that has been built around the 3-4 since 1983. The Steelers have fitted their roster with players suited for the 3-4, such as All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu and Pro Bowl nose guard Casey Hampton.

Not that Tomlin is expected to change. He also likes the so-called Tampa 2 cover scheme, which had its roots in Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain defense of the 1970s -- yes, a defense that played a 4-3.

"I think regardless of who they hire to be the head coach, they expect him to lead," Tomlin said last week. "Part of leading is being prepared to do things you feel strongly about. I'm no different from anyone else in that regard."

Tomlin's hiring will likely bring a shakeup in the Steelers' coaching staff less than a year after they won the Super Bowl. Grimm won't return after being passed over, and 69-year-old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and his renowned zone blitzes probably will be gone, too.

One Steelers assistant already knows Tomlin: linebackers coach Keith Butler coached with him at Memphis and Arkansas State.

Tomlin, from Hampton, Va., was a wide receiver at William & Mary, where he caught 20 touchdown passes during his career. He later coached at VMI, Memphis, Tennessee-Martin, Arkansas State and Cincinnati before being hired as a Tampa Bay assistant by Tony Dungy.

Coincidentally, Tomlin was hired on the same day the Bears' Lovie Smith and the Colts' Dungy became the first two black head coaches to reach the Super Bowl.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:23 am

Anybody else have a sense of deja vu over this? Not quite the same as when Dungy left, but similar.

RSI · Post by **RSI** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:19 pm

I agree with Neut, this reminds me an awful lot of when Dungy was hired away. The Vikings are again stuck with a head coach who is inept and less qualified than his assistants.

Maybe the Vikings will get lucky and someone will hire away the offensive coordinator too

the Steelers are expected to introduce Tomlin as only their third coach in 38 years

By contrast, the Raiders have had at least that many coaches since 2000. Talk about stability at the top.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:48 pm

They could hire away our offensive coordinator and it wouldn't matter because Childress calls the plays. Is it weird that Andy Reid never let him do that in Philly?

RSI · Post by **RSI** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:41 pm

EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:They could hire away our offensive coordinator and it wouldn't matter because Childress calls the plays. Is it weird that Andy Reid never let him do that in Philly?

Nothin' gets by ole ER...except maybe that one

Nope, not weird at all, the guy's a tool.