Bruce Arians Retires as Steelers Offensive Coordinator

You aren’t as bad as many people here believe you to be, but hopefully we get someone in the position who is an improvement. With the weapons we have, we should be a top 5-10 offense.

Also, one last bubble screen salute to a great man, who hated the full back position.

Thanks for your time over the years Bruce. Won two Super Bowls and Ben is one of the best QBs in the league. now its time we go after a big name who can run an offense. Todd Haley would be my choice

Now I guess there will be a whole process, I would like to see an established offensive mind at work here. I think if anyone can get Ben to start thinking about taking less sacks it would be Haley, we shall see. I really don’t want someone already on staff simply because it may be a copy of what we currently run.

but it was time. Let’s hope this is a move forward and not a move backwards!

Caldwell intrigues me.

Absolutely no excuse for the talent on this offense to be ranked 21st in scoring. I’m just glad that we hopefully won’t see 20 bubble screens that go for a total of 8 yards. It’s amazing how someone can be so in love with such an ineffective play and he keeps calling it.

I would like to see Tom Clements be the replacement. I don’t see Haley coming here with his attitude.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Tomlin to keep continuity on the staff and promote Fichtner to OC.

Let’s get him out of retirement after just a couple weeks….ay?

I don’t like changing things up when Ben is really entering his prime. What if this screws him up?

I am not thrilled about hiring an outside guy. Walton, Gilbride and Sherman were total failures in Pittsburgh. Martz – no way. Haley is too much of a hot head. Clements is the only outside guy I would consider. I think they should promote from within if they can’t get him, and that is what I expect them to do.

…for it has been known to come back to bite us.

This article in the Post-Gazette does highlight the poor track record the Steelers have in hiring outside OC’s.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12020/1204704-66.stm

To Bruce: Thank you for all your hard work, and two trips to the Super Bowl. Thank you for your work early on with the wide receivers, with Big Ben, and the current crop of Young Money. Good luck with all your future endeavors.

I think my new big screen may have a betetr chance surviving next season, after nearly being destroyed by a beer bottle during the last playoff game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFUabzkAjBQ

Steve Sarkasian?
Todd Haley?

Personally, I dont want anyones cast off as our new OC …. Id much rather take a college head coach… 1st it gives Tomlin a bit more control and brings fresh idea’s into the fold…and also more likely to not have the job turn over…
I can think of one great fit whom has brought the Rose Bowl title to Oregon for the first time in 85yrs, and who’s offensive game plan has had Oregon’s offense rated #1 the last 2 or 3 yrs…

While I certainly didn’t agree with much of the play calling, I’m also painfully aware that us fans only know part of the story. I’m certain you’ve been the recipient of many ill wishes that you didn’t deserve.

Best of luck in the future and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for the Steelers!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

And I, for one, think I have tried to be measured in my criticism of Arians. Having said that, a smile definitely emerged on my face upon hearing the news. First off, this is not an indictment of BA as a person nor do I wish him ill and instead thank him for his hard work and commitment.

However, there a number of reasons this needed to happen, most of them a retread of what has been said: the offense underperformed, Ben was a bit too chummy with Arians, inability to adapt in games, it is always good to bring in a new perspective, etc. Furthermore, in response to those talking about our past history of choosing OCs, IIRC, this will be Tomlin’s first chance to really cast a wide net and make a coordinator hire. He somewhat inherited both Arians (although the WR coach) and Lebeau in his pragmatic efforts to not impose himself too much. As a result, I am not sure past history can be held against him in choosing a coordinator.

What is more, there needed to be some change/infusion of new blood after last season, and that seemed for awhile like it would only come from a few new players. Perhaps a new coach sees possibilities that Arians had either dismissed offhand or not realized, maybe an unfortunate first impression here or there. Maybe this encourages Tomlin to get more directly involved in formulating an offensive philosophy by at least choosing a coordinator before handing the reins over him. Given much of the criticism of Tomlin’s somewhat poor in-game adjustments, I begin to wonder how much of an active role he plays in this or rather if he just facilitates between coordinators. If so, maybe this encourages him to begin getting more involved. Or maybe not.

I know he was enemy #1, but that was before he was forced out of coaching and has been rotting as a commentator. His ego is bound to be more under control now.

With the Vikings, was the OC on one of the highest scoring offenses in history, and we have a lot more weapons than he ever had in Baltimore. I would think that he should at least be on the list of potential candidates.

I’ll be interested to see who we bring in.

but is there a timeline/deadline for hiring someone? Just curious

Was like a streaky shooter in basketball.

When he was hot, he could dial plays up with the best of them. When he went cold…CLANG!

I’m just glad that Ben Roethlisberger will get to spend some of his prime with someone different calling the plays. Like I have maintained for quite some time…in life, sometimes change is necessary in order to grow.

the witch is dead!!!!!

HALLELUJAH!

I am going to save a bunch of money on postage now that I can finally stop sending threatening letters to his home!

Most like the passing game but want Big Ben to have the reigns pulled in, so to speak. Check the ball down more or throw it away. Was never a BA fan but Ben liked him, maybe because he was given the keys to the shiny new Vette.The O needed something. In this process of BA retiring or being pushed out the door it could actually go south. A new OC and Ben could actually not mesh in this setting the O back 3-5 years.

Bring in or back Mark Whipple. Was a part of the maturation and developement of young Ben as a QB coach. Currently the QB coach of Cleveland. This would give Ben somebody he knows and likes. Some will say that this will be like having BA/Ben relationship all over. This is where Tomlin puts his direction into how he wants things to be. The combination of a new OC that knows Ben, Tomlin making a change in direction(small changes) and Ben not being without some one he knows and trusts. Change but that not big of change.

1-If at all possible : Jon Gruden. If he want to get back into coaching (he’s still young) looks like he’s going to have to settle for an OC job first. He’d be expensive, but with his ties to Tomlin it’s not impossible. Would be a great hire.

2-Tom Clements. a Pa. native and former Steelers QB coach, awesome job with Aaron Rodgers, great resume. Would get that offense back on track and help Ben improve.

3- Jim Caldwell. A great resume and a good minority candidate. Has the pull to stop the Ben enabling nonsense and would help bring some fresh ideas to the team.

has to be able to improve redzone defense, play calling, running game, and keep the passing game almost the same. /obvious font

How about Chris Petersen the HC from BoiseState ???

One thing’s for sure. Mike hasn’t got a lot of time to find a replacement to start working.

Even with a patched up line, this team almost worked.

If it gets better next year, it was probably Bruce’s fault.

If it gets worse, then we may understand that Bruce wasn’t really the one running things.

Should be an interesting off season.

this is going to REAAALLLLLLYYY suck if they go with some uninspired move like promoting kirby wilson or fichtner. good teams stay good by infusing new with the old, that doesn’t mean firing people, but when you do have an important position opening up, it means evaluate all the possible candidates for the chance you bring something new to the organization

I’ve been critical of Bruce and I’m sure he could give a rat’s fat ass about any of our criticism or support for that matter. Hard to believe he is retiring, although some health issues were mentioned in the last year. I would predict BA takes next year off and returns to college coaching down the road. He’s pretty young to hang it up unless he has some outside interests that he wants to develop.

Watching Stanford Football rise from the ashes has been very interesting. I attended numerous coaching clinics there over the years and have seen coaches come and go. Harbaugh and his crew have done an incredible job, with David Shaw keeping the train rolling this past year. One of the guys in this lineage is going to get a college HC job or perhaps an NFL coordinator gig. Hard to see Shaw leaving Stanford this soon but you never know. Let me throw out the name Pep Hamilton. He is Stanford’s OC and QB coach. He has 7 years of NFL experience as a QB coach and has connections with Harbaugh obviously but also Paul Hackett and Norv Turner. He is young (37) and has only one year of experience in that role. However, with Mike Tomlin being a young HC maybe he is willing to look at a guy like this. The FB position would need to be filled !!

The USC coaching tree is also intersting since they have had lots of success and have run a pro style offense for many years. Sarkisian has done a good job at Washington but may not want to leave yet, just signing a new contract for good money after the season. His mentor Norm Chow would be intersting but he just got hired as Hawaii’s new HC. How about another name which will sound familiar to you – Kennedy Polamalu. Yes, he is Troy’s uncle and also has NFL experience with the Jaguars and the Browns. Less likely but interesting. I think they use fullbacks in that system too ?!!

Chris Peterson from Boise is an awesome coach and has shown offensive innovation while running spread stuff and I formation concepts. He would be great but just signed a new contract also.

Jim Caldwell? Maybe. BB would love to run the Colts system but would it suit him and his propensity for getting sacked?

Hue Jackson has been named by some but I would be appalled at that selection. He over-stepped his authority and took advantage of the power vacuum left when Al Davis died. Not only did his scheme not work, he likely undermined others in his quest for the Raiders HC gig and then whined about being fired. I wouldn’t trust this guy and can’t imagine Rooney and Tomlin wanting him in Pittsburgh.

I would love to see some new blood come in as the Steelers OC. It gives Tomlin the chance to imprint his philosophy and restart the offense. Any of the college guys mentioned above would be fine by me. Probably see guys like Schottenheimer the Younger and other guys with recent NFL OC experience getting mentioned in the press and interviewed.

And B Mac’s cousin who is also a CB

I think it will tell a lot about what this organization thinks the future is with the new offensive coordinator.

…the Browns, Chargers, Bucs and Rams, who all need an Offensive Coordinator.

At least the decision was made early, can’t see anyone wanting to go to any of these other teams when they have a chance to be on the Steelers.

Ben can’t have someone he knows, it will BA all over again. Hire from the outside. Need to hire soon to start teaching system and terminology. Need New coach to push Ben and challenge Ben to continue to improve. How about Merrill Hoge?

he was on thin ice ever since the 2009 browns game in cleveland.

I think the screen pass in the playoff game that should have been a interception for the Broncos did him in.

However, red zone play calling was his downfall, as well as critical third downs. Some games he was absolutely brilliant (think Pats 2011) and others were downright dismal.

He did not have the best O Line to work with, however he persevered with routes and plays that took too long to develop.

Clements is my pick to replace him. Enjoy retirement Bruce, and the Superbowl ring.