Steelers Appear To Be Looking At Candidates For Multiple Coaching Positions

by Neal Coolong on Jan 31, 2012 10:01 AM EST

News is emerging that former Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt is a person of interest for the Steelers, and with that, the offensive coordinator waters get a little more muddied in Pittsburgh.

Van Pelt, a University of Pittsburgh graduate, has offensive playcalling experience, including a stint with the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe, and as a replacement offensive coordinator in Buffalo in their disaster of a 2009 season.

The Bills were 28th in the league in scoring that year, and was released at the end of the year. He joined Tampa Bay's staff under Raheem Morris (a friend of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin), where he served as the quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons.

Morris' entire staff, including Van Pelt, were let go at the end of the 2011 season.

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora tweeted Monday Chicago is interviewing Van Pelt for its quarterbacks coach position, and the Steelers, Rams and Colts are "interested."

Here's the mud. La Canfora's report does not say whether the Steelers are interested in him as a quarterbacks coach (the same position for which Chicago is interviewing him, per La Canfora) or for its offensive coordinator position.

If the Steelers' inquiry was in regards to a quarterbacks coach job, it would suggest two things; current QBs coach Randy Fichtner is the front-runner for the team's offensive coordinator job, or, Fichtner is on his way out. As we theorized yesterday, Fichtner has a long-standing relationship with Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, and the Colts clearly have interest in Steelers coaches joining their ranks.

The discussion with Van Pelt, a candidate with, at best, mediocre experience as a coordinator, could be a preemptive move to replace Fichtner, should he not be with the organization.

It could also be Tomlin's way of kicking the tires on all candidates, particularly ones recommended by friends of his, like Morris.

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Am I the only one who thinks

That the Steelers should get the pick of the litter, when it comes to hiring an OC? I can’t think of another team in need of an OC, that can offer as many cool, shiny toys for him to play with. Add to the mix all of the other things that make the Steelers a great organization, and I would think that Tomlin’s inbox would be full of resumes from would be suitors.

by Greig Clawson on Jan 31, 2012 10:42 AM EST reply actions

Who says they don't?

We don’t know the level of interest they have in Van Pelt, but it could very well be that Tomlin let him say the Steelers talked to him as a favor to Morris, Van Pelt’s old boss, in an effort to drum up interest in him.

Or, it could be they’re in final negotiations with another offensive coordinator, and they’re interested in Van Pelt as their QBs coach. You’ll see in 30 minutes or so what I feel about the prospect of Todd Haley joining this staff, but he is an experienced coach with some success under his belt.

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by Neal Coolong on Jan 31, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

Nice teaser!

I would love to see the Steelers hire Haley. I eagerly await your analysis.

by Greig Clawson on Jan 31, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

You are a tease...

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

by PaVaSteeler on Jan 31, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

But There Is A Problem

You have many cool shinny tools, but will you get to play with them? Until Mr. gives a clear idea of what he wants from the offense, this job may not be as good as it could be.

by Willard Taylor on Jan 31, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Fichtner

Is Randy under contract? If so then he can’t go to the Colts without the Steelers permission. There are a couple of interpretations that come to mind. Fichtner is going to be OC and Van Pelt would be the QB coach or the Steelers FO think Fichtner will be disgruntled if they don’t let him leave, and have decided to let him go if they can get a replacement. I think the former is more likely just from the timing.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 31, 2012 11:10 AM EST reply actions

No clue

But if they gave Butler permission to interview, why wouldn’t they do the same with Fichtner? I just think it’s in bad form to not allow their employees to pursue higher positions.

With all due respect to him, Fichtner is a quarterbacks coach, not a player or a GM. If anyone actually thinks they can’t find a guy to come in and work with a veteran quarterback on a talented offense, they’re crazy.

However, I really don’t see why Fichtner couldn’t be the coordinator. He ran a spread at Memphis, that’s true, but he also got Deangelo Williams drafted in the first round and that offense scored quite a bit. He’s familiar with the players and the organization, so my guess would be it’ll be Fichtner and they’re moving onto replacements for him, i.e. Van Pelt.

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by Neal Coolong on Jan 31, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

hadn't Butlers contract expired?

I thought Butler’s contract had expired but perhaps I am wrong.

anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 31, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

No, you're right.

"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."

by Riddlah. on Jan 31, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

The only problem with Fichtner

Is that he may tainted from working with BA. I’m sure it’s nothing that a cup of lye, a fire hose, and season or two under a different OC can’t fix.

by Greig Clawson on Jan 31, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

Tainted?

Does he also read Golf Digest during important meetings?

"It's football the way it's meant to be played. That's who Pittsburgh is, and that's who Pittsburgh has always been."

-- so says Rex Ryan.

by sctx109 on Jan 31, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Are you saying

you don’t read Golf Digest during important meetings? I can’t think of anything being a discussed in a meeting, that is more important than fixing my back swing.

by Greig Clawson on Jan 31, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

Permission to interview

They refused permission for Arizona to talk with Butler a couple years ago. Perhaps if a team gets a little too…poachy, they’re willing to say “That’s enough. It’s a big league, so look around a bit more.”

by gostevego on Jan 31, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

not exactly true

as i understand it, coaches do not need permission from their current employer if they are offered an interview for a promotion. with Arizona a few years ago, Rooney denied Butler permission to interview for their LB coach job. this time, since Butler was asked to interview for the DCoordinator spot in Indy he didn’t need Rooney’s permission. so we were very lucky to keep him and Rooney must have done a great job with his pitch.
as with Fichtner, he probably can’t interview with the Colts since their OC spot is filled by Arians.

by steel.curtain.number2 on Jan 31, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

He seems to have put on a few pounds since he stopped playing

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl

by WVPiratesfan on Jan 31, 2012 12:02 PM EST reply actions