Mike Tomlin, defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, has been chosen as the Pittsburgh Steelers' new head coach, SI.com has learned.
The official announcement will come either later Saturday or on Sunday.
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.
ESPN is reporting this report is wrong
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
By Mike Prisuta TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, January 21, 2007
Russ Grimm has been offered and has accepted the Steelers' head coaching position, a source in Pittsburgh confirmed late Saturday. Grimm, 47, succeeds Bill Cowher, who coached the Steelers for 15 seasons before resigning Jan. 5. The hiring of Grimm will be announced Monday at a news conference.
ESPN and SI.com, Sports Illustrated's Web site, reported yesterday that Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin had been chosen to replace Cowher.
An NFL source confirmed yesterday that Tomlin had not heard from the Steelers and no contract negotiations had taken place.
OK how many Head Coaches do they need, even we only have 1
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
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. There will be no other announcements from this office today.
I guess Tomlin looks like he will be the Steelers next coach - I wonder if we could find room for Grimm - I believe he will be a HC soon.
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
How about, "Russ Grimm, Associate Head Coach, Offensive Coordination"?
RIP 21
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
chaddukes wrote:So who the hell is there coach? Last night I read an article that siad it was Grimm, this morning I read an article that says its Cameron!
Chad
Mike Tomlin
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
JansenFan wrote:How about, "Russ Grimm, Associate Head Coach, Offensive Coordination"?
I hear you Scott - I know we have way too many coaches here but I just think Grimm is going to be a good addition to a team and he might just stay with the Steelers, but, we could be looking to replace some of Gibbs "older" assistants and I would love to have Grimm working with our guys again.
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
I completely agree, that's why I tried to make up a good title for him.
RIP 21
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
JansenFan wrote:I completely agree, that's why I tried to make up a good title for him.
I sure wouldn't mind having him waiting in the wings when Gibbs steps down. I question whether Williams is meant to be a head coach (though he can go a long way toward dissuading me of that next season) and Saunders seems genuinely uninterested in the position.
Fios wrote:I sure wouldn't mind having him waiting in the wings when Gibbs steps down. I question whether Williams is meant to be a head coach (though he can go a long way toward dissuading me of that next season) and Saunders seems genuinely uninterested in the position.
There must be something wrong with me. I agree with the flying cup!
Daniel Snyder has defined incompetence, failure and greed to true Washington Redskins fans for over a decade and a half. Stay away from football operations !!!
Fios wrote:I sure wouldn't mind having him waiting in the wings when Gibbs steps down. I question whether Williams is meant to be a head coach (though he can go a long way toward dissuading me of that next season) and Saunders seems genuinely uninterested in the position.
There must be something wrong with me. I agree with the flying cup!
If we're looking for evolution, not revolution, on our coaching staff when Gibbs does step down, then starting the move towards a younger staff would be a good idea. What better way to do that than to bring in Russ Grimm? We have Breaux, Burns and Bugel in place, none of whom is going to stay after Gibbs quits - I'd love to see Grimm brought into the mix.
Of course, this assumes that Grimm would want to come here, and that the Steelers release him. But why wouldn't Grimm want to get back with Gibbs and Bugel?
I can't imagine he's content staying in Pittsburgh at this point, according to this report he, understandably, would like to be released from his contract. I'd LOVE to have him back in DC but I can't imagine becoming another name in the alphabet soup of coaches here holds a ton of appeal. Now, it goes without saying that Danny's deep pockets have an appeal all of their own but I think Grimm is probably looking for a place to make his name so he can take a HC position somewhere in the next couple of years. Additionally, spending a few years in the stability that is the Steelers organization may have given him a sour taste for the turmoil surrounding this one.
It's a good point - why would he want to join the coaching masses here, when he's really after a top job somewhere, or needs to see the opportunity to move towards the top job.
But if he did take a position on the coaching staff, who would be his opposition for the top job in two years (assuming we don't look outside the organisation)? Saunders doesn't appear to be a candidate to my mind, and Williams now has to reprove his worth as a coordinator. It's not impossible that he would be the frontrunner for the job by the end of next season.
UK Skins Fan wrote:It's a good point - why would he want to join the coaching masses here, when he's really after a top job somewhere, or needs to see the opportunity to move towards the top job.
But if he did take a position on the coaching staff, who would be his opposition for the top job in two years (assuming we don't look outside the organisation)? Saunders doesn't appear to be a candidate to my mind, and Williams now has to reprove his worth as a coordinator. It's not impossible that he would be the frontrunner for the job by the end of next season.
Williams has that $1 million head-coaching clause which makes him a contender by default but I think last season made the possibility of his someday assuming the Redskins HC mantle somewhat less likely.
UK Skins Fan wrote:It's a good point - why would he want to join the coaching masses here, when he's really after a top job somewhere, or needs to see the opportunity to move towards the top job.
But if he did take a position on the coaching staff, who would be his opposition for the top job in two years (assuming we don't look outside the organisation)? Saunders doesn't appear to be a candidate to my mind, and Williams now has to reprove his worth as a coordinator. It's not impossible that he would be the frontrunner for the job by the end of next season.
Williams has that $1 million head-coaching clause which makes him a contender by default but I think last season made the possibility of his someday assuming the Redskins HC mantle somewhat less likely.
I agree with all that has been said about Grimm and the situation we find ourselves in as far as Gibbs' successor is concerned.
As an interesting aside I would amplify that Fios' point about Williams is twofold - we either have a great D this coming season OR there could be a lot better chance at a HC job here because neither Gibbs or Snyder will put up with that possibility (our HC) with a guy that cannot get it done.
Hey Russ! C'mon down! Scott will have a position typed up for you before you can say "counter trey"
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
Oh well - he's going out to Arizona - maybe next time!
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
Scott will have a position typed up for you before you can say "counter trey" 