The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Posted: **Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:51 pm**

Steelers choose Vikes' Tomlin to succeed Cowher

By Michael Silver, SI.com

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

Posted: **Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:44 am**

Sources: Steelers set to name Vikes' Tomlin as coach

Now ESPN says the previously reported wrong report is right

But Pittsburgh Radio is reporting Grimm was offered the job late Sat. night and that he took the job.

Posted: **Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:14 am**

Steelers pick Grimm, source says

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 :shock:

Posted: **Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:06 pm**

Statement from Steelers Spokesperson Dave Lockett

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.

Enjoy Championship Sunday!

Posted on the team Official site, this morning

Posted: **Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:25 pm**

Well, if the Steelers don't want you Russ, come on home.

Posted: **Sun Jan 21, 2007 5:47 pm**

UK Skins Fan wrote:Well, if the Steelers don't want you Russ, come on home.

I second that.

Posted: **Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:22 am**

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.

Posted: **Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:08 am**

How about, "Russ Grimm, Associate Head Coach, Offensive Coordination"?

Posted: **Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:58 pm**

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

Posted: **Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:43 pm**

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

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:40 pm**

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.

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:41 pm**

I completely agree, that's why I tried to make up a good title for him. :lol:

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:49 pm**

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.

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:51 pm**

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! :shock:

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:16 pm**

Redskin in Canada wrote:
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!

Finally someone acknowledges my ability to fly

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:46 pm**

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?

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:03 pm**

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.

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:19 pm**

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.

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:22 pm**

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.

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:29 pm**

Fios wrote:
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! :celebrate:

Scott will have a position typed up for you before you can say "counter trey" :lol:

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:41 pm**

Oh well - he's going out to Arizona - maybe next time!

Posted: **Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:02 pm**

Damn, blast, and damn again.