Steelers QB Coach Randy Fichtner Interested in Memphis Head Coaching Job

by Neal Coolong on Nov 30, 2011 11:33 AM EST in Steelers Rumors

Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette tipped a report off from the Memphis Commercial Appeal saying Steelers quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtneris interested in Memphis University's head football coach position.

Fichtner had two stints at Memphis, one as the school's offensive coordinator under head coach Tommy West in 2001-06, the other as quarterbacks coach under Chuck Stobart from 1990-93.

The report credits Fichtner with the recruiting of Isaac Bruce, one of the NFL's most prolific receivers, as well as DeAngelo Williams, Panthers first round draft pick in 2006.

It also says:

''I think he'd be a perfect fit,'' said former Tigers assistant Wayne Weedon, a member of the U of M radio broadcast team and an assistant on the same Memphis staff with Fichtner in the early 1990s.

Fichtner replaced Ken Anderson as the Steelers quarterbacks coach in 2010, after having served the 2007-09 seasons as the wide receivers coach. He replaced current offensive coordinator Bruce Arians in that role in 2007.

Fichtner worked with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin at Arkansas State in 1997-1998.

Colleges are in the height of their recruiting efforts this time of the year, and more often than not, schools look to secure their head coaches as early as possible. It's pure speculation to suggest who Fichtner's replacement would be in the event of his departure, but an internal hire, at least on an interim basis, would make the most sense from a continuity standpoint.

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As I posted in fanpost:

Being reported elsewhere, too — could have big implications
This is also being reported here, though not as a done deal.

I don’t think this will change our offense much immediately. But it could be a bigger deal down the road.

My understanding is Fichtner was the most likely internal candidate for OC if Arians leaves. This could mean Arians doesn’t plan to retire.

Even if Fichtner became OC, he’s a former WR coach who brought a lot of the bubble screens to our offense. I was nervous about him because I was hoping for a more power philosophy from the next OC.

In the short term the QB coach won’t matter bc I don’t really see Ben being coached much anyway. He still takes dumb sacks (holding the ball is fine, getting sacked out of field goal range is not), ignores quick passes, audibles into bad running plays or out of the run entirely, etc. But in the long-term as he gets older and can’t make plays on sheer athleticism it would be great to have a coach who can get through to him.

I’d look at ~~Ray Horton~~ Kirby Wilson, RB coach, as the next most likely candidate for OC (NOTE: Now it’s come out he’s a candidate for the Illini job.). Dark horse would be Scottie Montgomery, who they call "Tomlin Jr." Or someone completely new to our staff, obviously.

by syrsteelerfan on Nov 30, 2011 11:38 AM EST reply actions

You’re making me earn it today! Didn’t hear about Illinois…I know people there, gonna make some calls, see what the word is.

Feel free to tip me off any time!

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 30, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

heh

steelincincy got the Memphis tip before it was reported anywhere else.

It is interesting that our guys are suddenly being mentioned for other positions. I’ve been a little surprised that Tomlin’s staff hasn’t been raided previously given the success we’ve had. Horton and the dolphins wooing Butler are the only ones.

(Plus, I always hoped Arians would take a college HC job as his final gig, just to get him out of town).

by syrsteelerfan on Nov 30, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

You gotta keep in mind, there is a HYYYYUUUUUGE amount of posturing surrounding these things. I’ve worked in a Division I athletic department before, on a small scale, and the stuff that went out when they were looking for a new athletic director was insane.

Agents float this stuff all the time. Schools sometimes float it to either generate interest in a candidate, send a message to alumni or to counter back at another candidate who may be seeking more money.

It’s all so speculation-driven it’s hard to believe anything, but if you look at Steeler Depot right now, they ran the Kirby Wilson news as “Reports say he will interview this week.”

They got it from a Tweet by SportsByBrooks that said “hearing Kirby Wilson will interview by the end of the week.”

Those are not the same thing, and to report a rumor as fact – instead of this source is saying this will happen – is the fuel that powers all this speculation.

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 30, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

True enough

I work in politics. Definitely understand power of rumor and unsourced speculation. I’ll leave it at that since I leave that stuff off this blog.

I like Kirby Wilson and hope he stays around. I think he’s done a good job developing Mendenhall and especially Redman and getting good use out of Moore.

by syrsteelerfan on Nov 30, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

That's Steeler Depot though

remember, they BREAK NEWS! :)

by Simonsen on Nov 30, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

Great tidbits of info syrsteelerfan. Thanks for sharing.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 30, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

BTW, is “Tomlin Jr.” the guy I saw on the sideline against KC who looks exactly like Tomlin but thinner?

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 30, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

Or, Tomlin during his first season as head coach?

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 30, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

Nevermind

Nevermind…my guy just laughed at me. Says Wilson’s agent is either planting it or someone is just making stuff up. He did add he may interview, but "you can probably guess why."

Not my words, he said that. It should be pointed out the University of Illinois is one of the few schools allowed to keep a Native American mascot namesake…

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 30, 2011 12:05 PM EST reply actions

it may still be true and he might of just laughed at your adorable simpsons caricature

by klompus on Nov 30, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

Don't mess with the Simpson mug

S/he’s an old friend, not a Steelers fan, doubt s/he even reads the site. Affiliated with Illinois athletics at a level s/he would know what’s going on.

Could also be mocking me in a general sense, unaware of my Simpsons mug.

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 30, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

I like this, it opens the door for Batch to be the QB coach next year, and I would love for him to be able to stay on staff

"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Nov 30, 2011 12:20 PM EST reply actions

I’d keep an eye on Scottie Montgomery. Not as a head coach, but he’s got strong ties to David Cutcliffe, Duke’s head coach who’s looked upon very favorably by Archie Manning (he recruited Eli when he was the head coach there, and was Peyton’s QB coach at Tennessee).

Cutcliffe took a Duke team that hadn’t won a conference game in like four years to being pretty close to a bowl game in about four seasons. Montgomery came from there. Fichtner went from WRs coach to QB coach after three years, it’d be two for Montgomery.

It’s tough to argue the success the Steelers receivers have had. Granted they had a lot of their senior coaching in place the whole time Tomlin’s been there.

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 30, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Montgomery to QB coach?

It’s possible. Fichtner had coached QBs before. Has Montgomery?

I think he’s a dark horse for OC (and if successful, HC soon after). Pure speculation, the dude just reminds me of Tomlin.

by syrsteelerfan on Nov 30, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

Just receivers

but familiarity with one could definitely provide good perspective with another. It’s not like Roethlisberger’s a rookie. I’m just sayin’, anyway

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 30, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

Intersting, I am not sure that position in and of itself is one that needs a strong leader

Unless we are looking to change what Ben does, but I would love to hear about a new Offensive Coordinator – I hear that Norv Turner guy is a pretty good OC and I am pretty sure he is gonna be out of a job soon…

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Nov 30, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

+1

…and I would presume Ben and Charlie have a good enough relationship that Ben might actually listen to advice from Charlie.

Would love to see Batch rewarded for his years of loyalty and service by keeping him on the staff. Thus, Steelers further enriched by his presence, yet have roster spot for a true late round QB draft pick to train up; I don’t see a future for Dixon with the Black n Gold.

United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.

by PaVaSteeler on Nov 30, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I see this as the last season for possibly all of our backups except Leftwich and that one is a maybe.

if Garcia is looking, we should put him on back up and look for a kid that may be decent late rounds and put my boy Batch in at QB coach so we can keep his positive attitude and great work ethic in house!

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Nov 30, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions