• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

Mike Tomlin Gets One-Year Extension

Thanks for sharing the interview. I've never seen it Vader. Sounds to me like Tomlin was trying to go to bat for Arians, then the ownership told him no, so he had to let Arians go. Still sad to hear his wife took it so hard. I'm glad he had success after that. His style worked, but it was boom or bust, and Ben took a lot of hits. I understand the organization wanting to protect their franchise QB, and moved to a quicker attack that ran the ball more.

I disagree strongly that Arians isn't from Tomlin's tree. I think the 5 years he served as an OC speaks more to his coaching ability than the 3 he served as a WR coach. And it was Tomin's decision to promote him.

I'd also be fine putting him in both Cowher and Tomlin's trees. Quite a problem to have when you only have 3 HCs in the SB era.

I didn't like Arians. But he wasn't from Tomlin's tree because Tomlin didn't hire him. Cowher did. He was moved to OC in Tomlin's first year. Tomlin wasn't allowed to do anything his first few years. Even after 5 years the FO told him BA had to go. So obviously he wasn't in charge of hiring or firing. Just like Tomlin didn't promote Butler. The FO did that.

Not that it matters. Tomlin is handled with kid gloves by the FO. They surround him with seasoned coaches... sometimes former HCs that know alot about football. Most coaches would have a tree because they found someone outside the organization that was just getting into coaching in the NFL. Tomlin has never had that. There are no new up and coming coaches on his staff. They are either seasoned coaches or former Steeler players at low level positions. Tomlin isn't teaching coaches anything. If anything he is trying to learn from them. By now that should be over with.

In Cowher's first year instead of having a HOF DC, he had Dom Capers. This was Capers first DC job. So you have a rookie HC with a rookie DC. In just 3 years as a DC he is hired as a HC by Carolina. I just don't see that type of thing with Tomlin.
 
I find it a little remarkable that more fans don't realize that Tomlin doesn't have the authority for much of the staff hiring and firing. I don't think the Rooneys trust him for those type of decisions, as the proof is in the pudding.

Look at the Ariens' situation. Cool Shades told him "I'm gonna get you your money." But, obviously he didn't have the authority to make that call, as the Rooneys told him, "No money for Bruce, and no new contract." And then the team didn't have the balls to call it what it was, trying to claim he retired. What a cluster beer gut.

And Haley was handled in a similar manner.

Regardless, MT doesn't hire or fire coordinators, even though they make lies up to make it seem like he does. For instance, LeBeau said he would be back "If coach Tomlin wants me to come back." That was bull, MT did not make that call either. And, it wasn't MT's call on promoting and keeping Butler either. Not even close.

Bobby, let's get real here, while it certainly seems that way (and likely is) the circumstantial evidence is in the pudding. No actual concrete proof you can say "not even close" about. Unless you're inside the organization and know something the rest of us fans don't, it's still just speculation.
 
I find it a little remarkable that more fans don't realize that Tomlin doesn't have the authority for much of the staff hiring and firing. I don't think the Rooneys trust him for those type of decisions, as the proof is in the pudding.

Look at the Ariens' situation. Cool Shades told him "I'm gonna get you your money." But, obviously he didn't have the authority to make that call, as the Rooneys told him, "No money for Bruce, and no new contract." And then the team didn't have the balls to call it what it was, trying to claim he retired. What a cluster beer gut.

And Haley was handled in a similar manner.

Regardless, MT doesn't hire or fire coordinators, even though they make lies up to make it seem like he does. For instance, LeBeau said he would be back "If coach Tomlin wants me to come back." That was bull, MT did not make that call either. And, it wasn't MT's call on promoting and keeping Butler either. Not even close.



Bruce himself said he retired, legitimately retired. I may have spelling issues but YOU sure as hell have many other issues including reading comprehension. Sincerely Drink IRON ******





Salute the nation
 
so,,,,,,, check this out..

Arians Was a college coach,, His first job in the NFL was as a qb coach. For the Colts,, The Head Coach was Jim Mora. You could say Arians is off the the Jim Mora Tree then ,, Right?

Well, Jim Mora's OC was probably who actually hired Arians. Guess who that was? Tom Moore,,, Yes, The Steelers OC between 1983 and 1989.. Was also the receivers coach from 1977 - 1983.

So actually you COULD say that Arians is off of the Chuck Knoll Tree.
 
so,,,,,,, check this out..

Arians Was a college coach,, His first job in the NFL was as a qb coach. For the Colts,, The Head Coach was Jim Mora. You could say Arians is off the the Jim Mora Tree then ,, Right?

Well, Jim Mora's OC was probably who actually hired Arians. Guess who that was? Tom Moore,,, Yes, The Steelers OC between 1983 and 1989.. Was also the receivers coach from 1977 - 1983.

So actually you COULD say that Arians is off of the Chuck Knoll Tree.

My head just assploded.

A cursory look at Wiki says that Kevin Gilbride is off the Tom Coughlin coaching tree. :nod:
 
They see it good for business as for stability which is what they value with their head coaches. They also see it as one less distraction for this season. Notice I said twice "they"

How I feel about it is irrelevant as it has been discussed per nauseam.

im not seeing a potential coaching 'distraction' when he has 2 years left on his contract
 
I find it a little remarkable that more fans don't realize that Tomlin doesn't have the authority for much of the staff hiring and firing. I don't think the Rooneys trust him for those type of decisions, as the proof is in the pudding.

Look at the Ariens' situation. Cool Shades told him "I'm gonna get you your money." But, obviously he didn't have the authority to make that call, as the Rooneys told him, "No money for Bruce, and no new contract." And then the team didn't have the balls to call it what it was, trying to claim he retired. What a cluster beer gut.

And Haley was handled in a similar manner.

Regardless, MT doesn't hire or fire coordinators, even though they make lies up to make it seem like he does. For instance, LeBeau said he would be back "If coach Tomlin wants me to come back." That was bull, MT did not make that call either. And, it wasn't MT's call on promoting and keeping Butler either. Not even close.

Pure speculation on your part. Not one shred of evidence as to who fires/hires coords. No different than when Chin was here. Half the board was wanting Coach LeBeau gone, even though it was widely known Butler was the DC in waiting when LeBeau left. Tomlin has known Butler a long time, Fictner as well. All three coached together a Memphis earlier in their careers. Tomlin felt the players who were in Coach LeBeau’s defenses had turned over almost 100%, and a new style was needed. A centerpiece with a Shazier type player. Problem was, Coach LeBeau didn’t like playing with rookies or first year players, because the system was so complicated. FO and Tomlin obviously felt they needed younger players more involved because of the speed they provided and the rule changes.


Sent from my iPad using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
I used to bag on The Bruce when he was OC because he was never offered a head coach gig. Although he kind of backed in to it by default, he actually turned out to be a pretty good head coach when he wasn't calling plays.

I used to bag on the Bruce all the time. Truth was he knew what it took to be successful with what they had. Unfortunately it would have gotten Ben killed in the long run.
 
Pure speculation on your part. Not one shred of evidence as to who fires/hires coords. No different than when Chin was here. Half the board was wanting Coach LeBeau gone, even though it was widely known Butler was the DC in waiting when LeBeau left. Tomlin has known Butler a long time, Fictner as well. All three coached together a Memphis earlier in their careers. Tomlin felt the players who were in Coach LeBeau’s defenses had turned over almost 100%, and a new style was needed. A centerpiece with a Shazier type player. Problem was, Coach LeBeau didn’t like playing with rookies or first year players, because the system was so complicated. FO and Tomlin obviously felt they needed younger players more involved because of the speed they provided and the rule changes.

We know that Tomlin didn't fire BA. BA said exactly the way it went down. We also know that Butler was in line because the FO promised him years ago. You're also speculating what happened based on those 3 coaches being together in Memphis. If Tomlin was in charge and he had a Memphis tie to Fictner then why hire Haley? Tomlin doesn't appear to be in charge of this.

Also is a 2nd year player really slower than a rookie? So DL won't play a rookie because they don't know the defense but that needs to change because of speed? Seriously? Most coaches don't like playing rookies but they are forced into it. Who exactly didn't LeBeau play who should have played?
 
We know that Tomlin didn't fire BA. BA said exactly the way it went down. We also know that Butler was in line because the FO promised him years ago. You're also speculating what happened based on those 3 coaches being together in Memphis. If Tomlin was in charge and he had a Memphis tie to Fictner then why hire Haley? Tomlin doesn't appear to be in charge of this.

Also is a 2nd year player really slower than a rookie? So DL won't play a rookie because they don't know the defense but that needs to change because of speed? Seriously? Most coaches don't like playing rookies but they are forced into it. Who exactly didn't LeBeau play who should have played?

Never said Tomlin was in charge at Memphis Vader. I just said they’ve known each other for some time. Butler and Randy were already at Memphis when Tomlin came in as a DB grad coach in 97. Randy has left previously to coach WR at Purdue and then to Ark State in 97 to be the OC. Butler then went to Ark State as the DC. Tomlin after Memphis followed Butler to Ark State and flipped being a DB coach under Butler and WR coach under Randy in consecutive years.

Art 2 felt that younger players weren’t being introduced fast enough (primarily in the secondary). I don’t think but one or maybe two rookies even started for Coach LeBeau those last couple years. Spence was going to be one until that pre season injury. Vince was one I’m sure. But there were a lot of DB draft picks that weren’t being used because coach felt more comfortable with the vets. Mind some of those vets were still pretty good....Taylor, Gay, Troy and Clark.


Sent from my iPad using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
im not seeing a potential coaching 'distraction' when he has 2 years left on his contract

More of a media distraction, and I think we have seen quite a too many of those in the last few years. No sense to risk another. I mean really you can get rid of the guy just as easily as not extending him. It has no impact on the cap. I think a few see him as locked in, I don't see it that way.
 
I think the only rookie starter, day 1, that I can remember under Dick, is Kendrell Bell. Anyone remember any others?
 
I think the only rookie starter, day 1, that I can remember under Dick, is Kendrell Bell. Anyone remember any others?
If I was going to guess I'd say Casey Hampton. His stats have him starting 11 games his rookie year, but he could have gotten hurt.
 
Pure speculation on your part. Not one shred of evidence as to who fires/hires coords. No different than when Chin was here. Half the board was wanting Coach LeBeau gone, even though it was widely known Butler was the DC in waiting when LeBeau left. Tomlin has known Butler a long time, Fictner as well. All three coached together a Memphis earlier in their careers. Tomlin felt the players who were in Coach LeBeau’s defenses had turned over almost 100%, and a new style was needed. A centerpiece with a Shazier type player. Problem was, Coach LeBeau didn’t like playing with rookies or first year players, because the system was so complicated. FO and Tomlin obviously felt they needed younger players more involved because of the speed they provided and the rule changes.


Sent from my iPad using Steeler Nation mobile app

What young guys on defense did we have that were worth starting, that didn't start?
 
Never said Tomlin was in charge at Memphis Vader. I just said they’ve known each other for some time. Butler and Randy were already at Memphis when Tomlin came in as a DB grad coach in 97. Randy has left previously to coach WR at Purdue and then to Ark State in 97 to be the OC. Butler then went to Ark State as the DC. Tomlin after Memphis followed Butler to Ark State and flipped being a DB coach under Butler and WR coach under Randy in consecutive years.

Art 2 felt that younger players weren’t being introduced fast enough (primarily in the secondary). I don’t think but one or maybe two rookies even started for Coach LeBeau those last couple years. Spence was going to be one until that pre season injury. Vince was one I’m sure. But there were a lot of DB draft picks that weren’t being used because coach felt more comfortable with the vets. Mind some of those vets were still pretty good....Taylor, Gay, Troy and Clark.

I never said you said Tomlin was in charge in Memphis. You said that they had ties together at Memphis. My point was that if Tomlin were in charge of his coordinators then why wouldn't he have hired Randy instead of hiring Haley? My point was that Tomlin obviously isn't in charge of hiring and firing. The FO told Tomlin they weren't going to give BA a contract. This after Tomlin told BA he was going to get him his bread. It's obvious to anyone watching that Tomlin doesn't control hiring and firing. If he did BA would still be coaching the offense. Even after BA was let go why didn't Tomlin hire his Memphis buddy? My guess is because the FO hired Haley. That was my point.

Not sure how the FO felt because they don't usually say anything. If you have a quote from them about putting more rookies on the field I'd like to see it.

What young guys on defense did we have that were worth starting, that didn't start?

This was my second point. I can't think of anyone that didn't start that was so great the defense would be better with them. Remember DC had one the most dominant defense in NFL history in 2008. His defense shut down high flying offenses during the 05' SB run. And the FO is going to ditch that because some phantom rookies aren't getting enough speed on the field? Seriously? Where are these great rookies?
 
This was my second point. I can't think of anyone that didn't start that was so great the defense would be better with them. Remember DC had one the most dominant defense in NFL history in 2008. His defense shut down high flying offenses during the 05' SB run. And the FO is going to ditch that because some phantom rookies aren't getting enough speed on the field? Seriously? Where are these great rookies?

Those defenses rarely missed a beat. They were always loaded with established starters and the team did a good job to fill one position at a time with a stopgap player until a young player was ready to step in and had a lot of contributions from their mid-late round guys. Smith, Taylor, Keisel were all great players while guys like Foote were solid starters surrounded by stars.
 
Also don't forget, he had a rookie, Bryant McFadden matched up on Reggie Wayne man to man late in the playoff game at Indy in 05.

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Those defenses rarely missed a beat. They were always loaded with established starters and the team did a good job to fill one position at a time with a stopgap player until a young player was ready to step in and had a lot of contributions from their mid-late round guys. Smith, Taylor, Keisel were all great players while guys like Foote were solid starters surrounded by stars.

Which is what the FO always does. If they have an opening at a position they go get a stop gap player until the drafted player is ready. That's why I don't buy the idea that the FO wanted to get rookies on the field faster. I think DL left because Tomlin was changing the style and type of defense he wanted to run. Tomlin wanted more input into the defense. Colbert started drafting guys to fit Tomlin's style of defense. DL decided to leave because of it. I can't think of anything else that makes sense.
 
Which is what the FO always does. If they have an opening at a position they go get a stop gap player until the drafted player is ready. That's why I don't buy the idea that the FO wanted to get rookies on the field faster. I think DL left because Tomlin was changing the style and type of defense he wanted to run. Tomlin wanted more input into the defense. Colbert started drafting guys to fit Tomlin's style of defense. DL decided to leave because of it. I can't think of anything else that makes sense.

When Shades referred to DL as "an OWG" in that Fox Sports interview and expressed bitterness about being labeled a "player's coach," it felt like there was an insecurity with Tomlin that may have also played into his desire to have more input into the defense.

I'm thinking there was no small level of resentment that the Rooney's effectively put training wheels on Shades from Day 1. He had to keep DL, and in year 13 it's still questionable as to whether or not he has final say on hiring and firing his staff.
 
Which is what the FO always does. If they have an opening at a position they go get a stop gap player until the drafted player is ready. That's why I don't buy the idea that the FO wanted to get rookies on the field faster. I think DL left because Tomlin was changing the style and type of defense he wanted to run. Tomlin wanted more input into the defense. Colbert started drafting guys to fit Tomlin's style of defense. DL decided to leave because of it. I can't think of anything else that makes sense.

Agree but I also think that other teams were figuring out how to beat DLB's defense and he was unwilling to change. The short pass was always his Achilles Heel.
 
This thread is the gift that just keeps giving...

It's given me quite a bit of insight into past coaches, our current coaches, a lot of things.

Are you against that?
 
Top