Steelers search for a coach updates.

Steelers say coaching search not completed

By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer
January 20, 2007

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will wait until at least Monday to announce their new coach, and might interview Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera that day for a second time if the Bears lose the NFC championship game.

The Steelers declined Saturday to confirm they have chosen a coach to replace Bill Cowher, who resigned less than a year after leading the team to its first Super Bowl victory in 26 years.

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Since Cowher stepped down Jan. 5, the Steelers have twice interviewed assistant head coach Russ Grimm and Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin but cannot talk again with Rivera, their third finalist, until the Bears' season has ended.

If the Bears win Sunday, the Steelers must decide whether they could afford to wait another two weeks to talk to Rivera, or if they should hire Tomlin or Grimm so they can start to reassemble their coaching staff and begin planning for the 2007 season. Rivera's first interview with the team went well and the Steelers have strongly hinted they would like to talk with him again.

SI.com, Sports Illustrated's Web site, reported Saturday the Steelers have decided on Tomlin -- a story that clearly caught the team off guard. 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 told ESPN the report was untrue and that he had had not spoken Saturday with the Rooneys.

Tomlin, an NFL coordinator for only one season, impressed the Steelers with his desire for the job, knowledge about defense, work ethic and organizational ability during two interviews over the last two weeks. The second session, on Tuesday, lasted 3 1/2 hours.

But with the 34-year-old Tomlin not in the running for any other NFL head coaching jobs, it would be uncharacteristic for the Steelers -- a team that never rushes into any important decision -- to hire him without giving Rivera another interview.

However, the Steelers have not promised Rivera a second interview, and have said only that they would choose their coach when they were certain they had found their man.

If Tomlin is the choice, it would be a major disappointment for Grimm, who nearly got the Bears job himself three years ago. He said last week he was certain he was ready to be a head coach, and felt his six-hour interview Wednesday went very well.

Dan Rooney and director of football operations Kevin Colbert also seemed upbeat and positive following Grimm's second interview.

Hiring Tomlin as only the third Steelers coach in 38 years, and the first black head coach in their 74-year-history, most likely would mean major changes in a team that is only a season removed from winning the Super Bowl.

Tomlin coaches the 4-3 defense, and the Steelers have long been the NFL's strong proponent of the 3-4 defense. In recent seasons, they signed defensive ends Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel to long-term contracts partly because of their ability to fit into the 3-4.

Also, the Steelers have most of their assistant coaches under contract for next season, and a new head coach probably would want to bring in some of his own coaches.

Last season, Tomlin's first as Minnesota's defensive coordinator, the Vikings were eighth in the league in yardage allowed and first in fewest rushing yards allowed. On Dec. 10, they held Detroit to minus-3 yards rushing, the NFL's lowest total in 45 years.

There would be one coincidence if Tomlin is hired -- he is the same age Cowher was when the Steelers chose him in 1992. At the time, Cowher also was an NFL defensive assistant coach who wasn't yet a big name.

Ken Whisenhunt, initially thought to be the front-runner for the Steelers' job, was hired by the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday. He did not wait to see if the Steelers would make him an offer.

Why don't I solve the Steelers problem right now. Hire Russ Grimm. Problem Solved.

Apparently the earlier reports were true.

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

I wonder how this messes with Pittsburgh's philosophy for the 3-4 defense.

Look for Russ Grimm to end up in Washington now.

I just saw on ESPN that in Pittsuburgh rumors are saying Grimm will be the coach.
I think no one know's yet but the Steelers [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

yep starbuck, it sure is a mess right now with exactly who will end up as the head man. I didn't figure there was any question after the 3 hour, and 6 hour interviews Grimm had earlier that he would be the man.

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."

I don't quite understand what the big rush is for.
Yeah there is some job openings all around the pro's and a few colleges.
To me jumping and getting a new coach to quick, could be the worse thing that could happen to the Steeler's.
They better find a coach that fits the organization of the Steeler's first and foremost.

yeah, and plus they don't have much experience looking for new head coaches so it isn't as smooth going as say an Arizona or Detroit search would be [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin accepted the Pittsburgh Steelers' coaching job Sunday night and was working out a four-year contract he hoped to complete Monday, people close to the search told The Associated Press.

They requested anonymity because the Steelers have asked all parties involved in the search to not speak to reporters until they can make the announcement, which could come Monday or Tuesday.

Tomlin is expected to make around $2.5 million per year, the going rate of late for first-time NFL coaching hires. Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher resigned Jan. 5 following 15 seasons after apparently rejecting a $6 million per year contract extension offer earlier this year.