Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Met With Hue Jackson Before Reportedly Deciding on Todd Haley for Offensive Coordinator
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 7:18 PM EST
in Steelers Rumors
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Like the alleged Todd Haley hiring for the Steelers' offensive coordinator position or not, one thing that can - and should - be said is Mike Tomlin did his research.
NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, one of the first reporters to formally link Haley to the Steelers' open position, tweeted Monday Tomlin had met with former Raiders head coach Hue Jackson before news broke today of the reported offer to Haley.
The same Jackson recently fired by Oakland after openly criticizing his team after a Week 17 loss to San Diego - a game the Raiders needed to win for a shot at the playoffs.
Was Jackson a candidate? Perhaps he was, just as much as former Colts coach Jim Caldwell. Tomlin had met with Caldwell, who was recently dispatched by Indianapolis. Along with Haley's interview, the men Tomlin met with (whether they were formal interviews or the men were realistic candidates for the job remains to be seen) were head coaches at the start of the 2011 season, and all of them have offensive backgrounds.
It begs the question, what exactly was he looking for in that candidate?
One plausible answer is he wanted those candidates to give him their impression of what they themselves wanted in an offensive coordinator.
There's only one report of an offer being made, and that is to Haley, per Mark Carmen of AM 610 in Kansas City. Caldwell's meeting with Tomlin may not have been an interview, but sources confirmed the two met face-to-face. Caldwell left town without a contract offer, though. The news of Jackson's meeting with Tomlin over the weekend suggests Tomlin was beating the street for information from recently employed offensive minds.
Maybe the whole thing was a big face-to-face background check on Haley from some of their collective peers in the AFC. It's hard not to respect that mentality.
Either way, despite disagreements with the supposed hire of Haley, it seems Tomlin put in the sweat effort to find the right leader for the position.
It's a long wait until we'll see the results of what seems to be a new direction for the Steelers offense, but until then, let's hope Tomlin puts the same effort into researching the issues he'll have on the defensive line this upcoming year.
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Because I was wondering shortly before you posted this why it took so long to give Haley the job.
Haley is really the only guy we know for sure interviewed for the position. We don’t even know if Tomlin did, indeed, talk to Jim Caldwell (remember, the source who originally reported it said he or she was 95% sure it was him). And, even if it was Caldwell, it’s like the question you posed regarding the meeting with Hue Jackson — was it really a formal interview for the post?
I would not be surprised if there were other interviews that took place behind closed doors. Though, this whole thing does make me wonder if Randy Fichtner ever was truly a candidate. It could be seen as a risk to interview a guy in-house for a promotion, only to turn him down. Kind of like when the whole Russ Grimm business went down.
Those who can...do.
Those who can't... post on message boards using a screen name boasting the name of those who can.
by Craig Sager's Wardrobe on Feb 6, 2012 7:33 PM EST reply actions
Have to wonder whether the offensive assistants will stay ...
Will Haley bring in his own guys? What will happen to Kirby Wilson, Fichtner, Scottie Montgomery, Sean Kugler, etc. now?
Perhaps that’s why it was reported he was offered the job, but it hasn’t been said that he’s accepted.
Maybe someone else knows Haley’s contract situation with the Chiefs, but usually if a coach is fired with years left, he’s still being paid by the team until he takes another job. That’s not always the case, but Haley could be leaving a lot of money on the table by taking a coordinator job, and he could be weighing that money lost with having to take a lesser-paying job with people he hasn’t worked with in the past.
I would be surprised if a new OC
would come and turnover the entire offensive staff. I haven’t often paid that much attention to OC hirings, so I don’t know for sure, but I just don’t see a HC allowing a coordinator to make that much of a sweeping change to the coaching staff.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Feb 6, 2012 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
I think you are correct...
Rooneys won’t let Haley or any other OC mess with Wilson…Kugler has proven his value..but Fichtner and Montgomery may be on a short leash. Fichtner may go elsewhere since it seems he was passed over. Plus…it may not be a good thing to have Ben on his side! :) If they are bringing in Haley, it is certainly with the idea that there will be a little more discipline on offense. Can’t tell if Fichtner & Montgomery have contributed to the apparent lack of it.
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)
They're gone
If Haley doesn’t have the power to fire them, he’ll just make them so miserable they resign. All I’ve heard about Haley is that he’s impossible to work with, and I’m very surprised the Rooney’s hired him.
I spoke with William DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports, he spoke to a guy who works at the Omni and he confirmed it was definitely Caldwell.
The point I’m making is Tomlin did his homework with this hire. He spoke to a lot of guys with the same kinds of background as the guy he would want to hire, so he’s picking their brains as former offensive coordinators and head coaches.
Seems tough to think internal guys wouldn’t at least have gotten a courtesy nod, but you’re right, we don’t know that.
Not to poke a hornet's nest but...
…although the Rooney Rule does not apply to Coordinator positions, could the “interview” of H. Jackson been a nod in that direction?
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Your guy better beef up on his contacts. Caldwell has been hired by the ravens, lol. I wouldn’t ask him about anymore inside pittsburgh sports because he seems to be on the outside.
I think you miss the point
There was some doubt over whether or not Caldwell was interviewed, which is pertinent to the above discussion of what type of approach Tomlin was taking with his interviews.
"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.
Not sure how I missed the point? The guy made it sound like Caldwell was hired based on who he spoke with, yet Caldwell was hired by the ravens almost two weeks ago. Read his comment again and then read my response and you will see what point I was trying to make. I wasn’t referring to his comment about tomlin’s approach but that poster didn’t really explain what he meant about Caldwell…
Sometimes comments are meant to be replies chained to other comments, but the “reply” can be missed and it’s posted as a new response.
Neal’s comment that you replied to sounds to me like a response to this part of Hines Ward’s above comment:
Haley is really the only guy we know for sure interviewed for the position. We don’t even know if Tomlin did, indeed, talk to Jim Caldwell (remember, the source who originally reported it said he or she was 95% sure it was him). And, even if it was Caldwell, it’s like the question you posed regarding the meeting with Hue Jackson — was it really a formal interview for the post?
When Neal’s done two front page stories now clearly stating that Todd Haley has reportedly been hired as the Steelers offensive coordinator, you can rest pretty assured that he’s not going to start posting comments that contradict them without editing/updating the stories.
Are you on Facebook? Have you connected with BTSC's page yet? You should.
I’m not really sure where this conversation is going, but if I’m unclear, lemme know, I’ll clean it up.
Barner and Sctx, yes, I said that in response to Hines’ comment about whether the meeting with Caldwell was verified. The guy I spoke with called the hotel, a guy working there said it was legit.
My point was really just to show Tomlin had done some quality research, up to and including a report that he met with Hue Jackson – the third former AFC head coach with an offensive background he’s spoken with in this search.
To me, it shows excellent foresight on his part. He went out looking for his own answers. It shows he went through the process in a very intelligent manner. All three of those guys – Caldwell, Jackson and Haley – have been offensive coordinators and head coaches. It shows some insight into what Tomlin may have been looking for, even if two of those three weren’t formal interviews. Maybe they were, but maybe he was just picking their brains.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
That’s what I got out of it.
If you’d posted the original comment as a direct reply to Hines, this whole chain of “missing the point” never would’ve happened. But sometimes responses don’t get directly linked to the comments that prompt them, it happens all the time and it’s not a big deal.
I think you’re good, no additional clean up necessary.
Are you on Facebook? Have you connected with BTSC's page yet? You should.
by barnerburner on Feb 6, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
Not sure how I missed the point? The guy made it sound like Caldwell was hired based on who he spoke with, yet Caldwell was hired by the ravens almost two weeks ago.
I wasn’t implying Caldwell got hired, I was merely confirming Caldwell had spoken with Tomlin at the Hotel Omni. He was hired by Baltimore a day or two after that meeting. It was an article I ran at the time, but yes, I can see how someone who hasn’t been following this site this off-season could be confused. It wasn’t my intention to mislead you though.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
In house inverviews
There would be no need to interview “In-house” as they already know from working with them. I doubt they bother with Wilson. The Rooney’s are not the “Kick him when he is down” type of people. I believe that if not for the tragic fire, he would be the one we are talking about now. I also doubt, with the hiring of Haley, that there will be much change in the offensive system. They will still be a pass first team. The difference will be, they will make a commitment (as per Joe Greene’s comments) to run when needed and pass when needed. You won’t see a pound it up the middle approach like they did with “The Bus” or Barry Foster. They will learn to run the ball effectively out of the spread offense.
by Thomas Crawford on Feb 9, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Big mistake
Not only is this the wrong hire. I think it will polarize the team. Haley is a splitter. I don’t think this guy is an answer for BB or the oline.
I clearly would have liked to,see Clements, Sullivan or yes even Jackson.
I guess we will have to wait and see. Can’t see Haley under Tomlin.
Impose your will.
I think we all would have loved it to be Clements
sigh
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 6, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
Clements
I agree with you, tannfsteel84. Clements is a local boy from McKees Rocks, and has a proven track history with mentoring quarterbacks. The problem with the Steelers offense this year was not that they couldn’t run the ball. They proved when Ben was injured that they could run it. It was Arians lack of commitment, even after Rooney’s demands to have a more balanced approach that led to his retirement/firing/release. Haley will get it done.
by Thomas Crawford on Feb 9, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Big mistake
Says who? You?
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
by Riddlah. on Feb 6, 2012 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You mean, like, working with their 7-iron?
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
golf course
Well there’s an “in” for Haley and Ben to start to build a relationship. If I’m Haley, the first order of business is to take Ben on a golf trip and get in some relationship time rather than go right to work on football. I know we don’t want them to be buddies based on Ben’s closeness to Arians, but we also don’t want them to start with animosity just bc Ben wanted Arians to stay and Haley isn’t Arians. Haley needs to start with earning Ben’s trust and what better way to start than golfing.
Amen
Excellent call. Let’s hope that happens
by Neal Coolong on Feb 7, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
Should Haley let him win?
I can’t imagine Roethlisberger is a great golfer.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 7, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
pretty good
I’ve actually heard he’s pretty darn good and plays in a lot amateur outings, though not to the extent that Romo does. :-\
But it seems like it would be a good neutral territory meeting of the minds and a place to talk about a lot of nothing as always happens on the golf course. Talk about family, see each other as a person, and not get into x’s and o’s right away. Here’s hoping… ah, if only they’d ask my opinion! Ha
Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Met With Hue Jackson Before Reportedly Deciding on Todd Haley for Offensive Coordinator
Welcome, to Run, Run, Pass Haley—Glad he is gone from Kansas City!
I could have called better offense, than him and his coaching staff—have fun Pit, the joke is on you!
I think KC Tony and Riverhorse should duke it out. I’d like to read more from both of you guys.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Probably not!
I think they have issues with stringing together coherent thoughts.
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)
Homer's knee-jerk reaction is to say noooooo.....
…and then his second reaction is to scratch his chin and say, “hmmmmm.”
His third reaction is to say, happily, that there’s a lot more in the way of capable minority talent ready to step in and contribute…and the Steelers have always been in the vanguard of making that possible……from Lowell Perry to Bill Nunn to Tony Dungy to Mike Tomlin. Just about every minority the Rooneys have ever hired has been a great success. Can’t think of one who hasn’t.
Homer would have LOVED to be a fly on the wall when Artie and Kevin and Tomlin discussed this hire. Homer has his doubts about the wisdom of the decision, but he looks at the Rooney/Tomlin track record and takes comfort in that.
Worst case scenario, by the time we find out Haley doesn’t pan out, Kirby Wilson is well into his recovery. But Homer thinks the power of the pack will keep Haley in check. The Steelers won’t stand for any bullshit from him..
Above all, the chemistry of the team must be protected.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Homer's previous post was a reply to PaVa Steeler's remark about the Rooney rule...
…and the intvu of Hue Jackson.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Something bizarre is happening to this site....
…we are double-posting and entering the fourth dimension.
Homer worries that he may find himself at an erotic bake shop in a bad section of LA.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
If you've eaten a Guatemalan Insanity Pepper at the cook-off....
…and have met a coyote with the voice of Johnny Cash, it’s too late, my friend.
Find your soulmate, klompus.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
“Ooooohhhh….his chili spoon….they say he carved it…from a bigger spoon.”
That’s an absolute classic episode!
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
I know, right?!?
I haven’t watched new episodes of that show in like 10 years, probably longer, but a day doesn’t go by where I don’t quote at least one Simpson episode.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
Ive noticed signing in issues as well....... almost have to refresh browser on every page change
by OR69faithfull on Feb 6, 2012 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
I wasn’t sure what Homer was referring to, but since it’s come up again, what do you mean?
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
Oh....well
seemingly (and ive done two virus scans and tried two diff browsers) as I attempt to both sign in and move from page to page, I get web page errors….as if the second or third party cookies have changed onsite for advertising…thus Im forced to refresh my browser to move to the next page….been happening often today…
by OR69faithfull on Feb 6, 2012 11:41 PM EST up reply actions
Yesterday
I was having this issue at all SBNation sites.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 7, 2012 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
That's my point ! You really want to mess with that. I asking in the first person.:)
Impose your will.
Given that his demonstrative characteristics are all over the web...
…I find it hard to believe they would not have raised the subject in the interview, with all appropriate admonitions that such antics don’t occur on a Steeler sideline. If, having done so, they believe he is the right person to hire, who are we to say differently?
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
homer
I find repying to a post sometimes a disjointed process….as if your reply is the last sheet of a toilet paper roll…
by OR69faithfull on Feb 6, 2012 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
The fact is
He was intimately involved with a jet organization and has not been overly successful as an OC or a head coach. I still hope it isn’t so.
Impose your will.
BAD hire.
Todd Haley is a screamer. We don’t need this in Pittsburgh. He will split the team and piss everyone off. That is his history. What is Tomlin thinking? An OC is about more than x’s and o’s. It is about TEAM. I cannot remember the last time I thought an assistant coach that was hired was this bad.
Aww, sure wouldn't want to piss off a big bad football player
lol. You know nothing about Haley. He doesn’t know anything but team.
by riverhorse_2000 on Feb 6, 2012 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
I see by your profile page...
that you are an expert on these matters. For the life of me, I can’t understand why MT and the FO didn’t consult you first! :)
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)
Haley is a screamer?
Haley was a screamer in Arizona. Yes that is correct, the team that almost upset the Steelers in the Superbowl. He was a screamer in KC and they led the NFL in rushing in 2010. Haley was not hired to be the Steelers assistant coach. John Mitchell will remain in that position. Haley was hired as the offensive coordinator. Bill Cowher was a screamer. It seemed like they played as a team then. Have a little faith with someone who worked his way up from being a ball boy in the very organization that you call yours.
by Thomas Crawford on Feb 9, 2012 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
Tomlin wanted discipline and aggressiveness in his OC
That’s why he hired Haley. You’ll be surprised at what you’re getting. Todd Haley will be going for the throat when the Steelers are up and grinding it out when the situation calls for it.
He’ll weed out the attitude problems and fix those. Tomlin will appreciate that.
Thanks for the KC perspective, Riverhorse.
Any specifics or other thoughts you’d care to share? Opinions are trumped by experience every time.
Haley is different breed
I was honestly disappointed when he was hired but I didn’t know anything about him. He came in and started talking about greatness and what it takes. The more you watched him talk the more you could see how much he believed it. He wouldn’t rant and rave about it he was all very low key and it was rather matter of fact.
It was this is what has to be done and this is how we’ll do it. Not that he won’t adapt and adjust but he has total conviction in his beliefs about what it takes to be a champion in the NFL. If the players don’t but in they won’t much.
Haley does things for a good reason. He doesn’t yell and scream nonsense he does it with purpose. He will get under a players skin until they play to the absolute top of their potential and they do it every play.
He’s was the best coach I ever saw in KC and I’ve seen them all the way back to Stram. That includes Marty and he was a great coach. I think a lot of people will be very excited about the offense once they get to know this guy.
Lot of people in KC are still pissed he was fired. Biggest F up ever in KC, you guys got one hell of a coach.
by riverhorse_2000 on Feb 7, 2012 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
I find the whole thing unsettling....
First, If it was some fact searching Haley thing….would a call to a couple former coaches in AZ gotten the answers needed.?
Then, if in fact Kirby was going to get the job b4 his injury, we let Arians go blindly without having a bonifide candidate, then went shopping like we were buying a used car?. ..
Whole process has been handled poorly …
Im certain Haley has the heart and experience, but whats the price ?..
Personally, and not on merit of ability, Ill have to take some time to get use to this supposed hire…
Not necessarily fact-finding about Haley
Just research into what some educated people feel makes a good offense.
Tomlin’s not very old, not a ton of experience directly coaching the offensive side of the ball. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t know anything, but the stupid person assumes he can’t learn.
I think he had some ideas in mind, bounced them off people against whom he’s no longer competing, and put together a general outline of what he wants. Going off that, he determined Haley is the guy who can lead his offense in the trenches.
What it is he wants done, though, is the real question we’ve lost in all of this. It’s not about the guy doing it as much as it’s the scheme. We’re quick to blame Arians for everything, and while most laud the hiring of Haley as a great step, no offensive coordinator was going to be hired with the assignment of doing whatever he wants. Tomlin needs help, but that help needs to follow a general outline.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 6, 2012 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
Kinda of glad they didn't get Jackson
Like his devotion to the run but his passing philosophy is similar to Arians. That is deep passing routes like crazy…
Huge fan of the Steelers. (that includes "Steelers West")
"If I could start my life over again, I would be a professional football player and you better damn well believe a Pittsburgh Steeler!"- Jack Lambert
I don't think the meeting with Jackson was an interview
I think Tomlin was just picking his brain as one of the few guys right now who have head coaching and offensive coordination experience as well as experience playing against the AFC as recently as this season.
Not really a coincidence Jackson (coaching Oakland) played against the AFC West last year, and the Steelers have them on their schedule in 2012.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 7, 2012 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
Steelers possess an elite QB, one of the best receiving corps in the league
all long as Pittsburgh shores up their O line thru either draft or free agency….Todd Haley will turn this teams offense into an elite 30+ points a game offense IMO.
That's what we are all hoping for...
but, we shall see.
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)
Ben is not elite
and Wallace is a one trick pony
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle
no one is touching this?
ok i’ll leave it alone too lol
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 7, 2012 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
agreed
we’ve spent a lot of energy this week already
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 7, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
WRONG
How can you say hes not elite given what he has to work with the past 5 yrs in terms of an Offensive Line and a offensive scheme thats as bad as Cam Cameron’s…. let alone piss poor timing in terms of play calling… Ever notice that when Ben does the hurry up offense we score… when hes in control??? And lets define an elite QB? Please. And look at the schemes those elite QB’s worked and the talent they had to work with… Anyone remember what are receiving look like 3 yrs ago? Holmes Ward and (fill in the blank)… Ben is most def an elite QB that nees help staying Vertical.
Disagree about Wallace and there is nothing wrong with a one trick pony when you have other receivers that can do the job he may not do as well… What is really needed is a tall power receiver to compliment Wallace’s speed and let Sanders and Brown play the slot…
I was wondering who would take it:)
maybe I have posted enough for people to peg my personality.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle
The extra aggressiveness could be good for us
Maybe a guy who gets on your ass is what guys like Kemo need. Dudes with discipline issues. Might add a mean streak to the O-line and some more grit to the RB position.
Some of the irritating things we’ve seen that never seem to get better, like Mendenhalls tiptoes or Kemos late dives or Bens refusal to check down, might just go away. Those little things can be solved with some extra hate.
Yinz know I love the Hate, Haley brings it. I’m willing to give him a chance, this hire is growing on me as the day goes on.
Mech, you and I will be the starting cornerbacks before Kemoeatu will start again at left guard for this team.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 7, 2012 12:08 AM EST up reply actions
I wouldnt be so sure
With all the injuries and question marks at that position, if they don’t draft a guy high this year he could very well be right back.
We all thought Trai Essex was gone and Ramon Foster would disappear at some point too. Fact is our O-line is a revolving door, nobody’s ever truly out.
Feel free to share
If we’re talking about Kemo starting at guard. Ben might need some too.
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass
Pour one for me
Make it a double…
I’m really hoping we get another O-lineman in the first two rounds this year. By far our biggest weakness. D needs to get younger but the Ben can’t keep getting murdered every season.
If you can run a 4.5 40
and have a 36 inch vertical, you might have a good shot at a roster spot.
by Greig Clawson on Feb 7, 2012 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
I know I definitely can run under a forty time that has a 4 and a 5 and a decimal in between them and I have a vertical that probably is a factor of 36. Does that count?
Huge fan of the Steelers. (that includes "Steelers West")
"If I could start my life over again, I would be a professional football player and you better damn well believe a Pittsburgh Steeler!"- Jack Lambert
I do to...and I'm 63!
Oh wait…was that 40 yds. or 40 feet?
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)
Apparently a lot of research has been done...
I wouldn’t be to concerned about his sideline antics. I’m sure that will be a non issue.
“Given that his demonstrative characteristics are all over the web…
…I find it hard to believe they would not have raised the subject in the interview, with all appropriate admonitions that such antics don’t occur on a Steeler sideline. If, having done so, they believe he is the right person to hire, who are we to say differently? PaVaSteeler”
Maybe some of the extra work put in by Tomlin, as Neal pointed out, may have been to get different points on the selection of an OC. Do you not also think he may have gotten a little bit of feedback on Haley’s personality? Is he always like this or were some of the behind-the-scenes things getting to him? I have seen many of normal people lose a grip when there is pressure from all sides. What was going on with junk from the owners on down. Was the rest of his staff supporting him or watching the bus roll over him? Maybe he was getting grief from so many different directions he got snappy. But time will tell and I am confident in the Rooney family’s abilities in this matter. Go Steelers!!
Todd Haley
Isn’t that bad of a coach. I’m a Chiefs fan and I wish the guy the best of luck with the Steelers. I still believe he got the short end of the stick with his departure. Well, can’t wait till the 2012 season! Can you say “Chiefs v. Steelers” primetime match?
I'm sure someone has mentioned this already...
Jackson was nothing more than a “Rooney Rule” fulfillment. That’s all.
http://tr4f.wordpress.com
Mountainbiking the Continental Divide in 2012 to raise awareness of human trafficking.
WTF, really?!?!?!
Tomlin had already talked to Caldwell. Was that Rooney Rule, too? Does the Rooney Rule (which doesn’t apply anyhow) require them to interview multiple candidates? Come on, do a little thinking or some reading.
"In football, there are football players and there are footballs. A lot of times in football, a football player will be running with a football, and a lot of times, he carries the football into the end zone. Now, when a football player running with a football takes that football into the end zone, boom! It's a touchdown." - Anthony DeFeo
by chewiesteeler on Feb 7, 2012 9:13 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe it was Tomlin doing the favor...
Another angle to the meeting with Caldwell could be that Tomlin met with him to give him his feelings on the Ravens since the Steelers play them twice a year and Tomlin has a feel for the organization. It’s been reported that the Ravens had been working on the deal with Caldwell for something like a week leading up to his hire. The two have a history, so it could be that Caldwell sought him out to get his advice. Just seems a bit strange that he comes in for a sit-down, leaves shortly after and signs with another team a day or two later. Of course, I could just be out of my flippin’ mind…which is very possible according to everyone inside my head.
Few things
Yes, Tomlin and Caldwell have a history. They were both assistants under Dungy. Also, Caldwell’s agent represents Pitt men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon. Could very well just have been a discussion about the position, or just simply Caldwell’s agent dragging him along for a trip to get people talking. Drum up interest from other teams.
We’ll probably never know the extent of the Steelers’ interest in him,
Kvetching, complaining, and second guessing reminds me
of myself when Whisenhut and then Grimm left to make room for Tomlin. Hindsight has earned the Rooney’s my admiration and trust.
So lets take an organizational view. The Steelers are champions because of talent and defense and when the offense gets hot. This BA lead offense has the well documented success of a lot of yards but mediocre points because of his fill in the blanks. BA has had time to change these deficiencies and delivered more of the same.
BA’s departure was due and Pittsburgh (Ben) needs someone strong to change the entrenched habits and mentality. Also IMO that someone is well served by bringing back a portion of the emotional intensity that left with Cowher.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle
Ed Bouchette on 93-7 The Fan right now.....
“I’ve been working the phones and I still can’t confirm it” (hiring of Haley)
“If he is indeed the OC, I have no problem with it”
“Curtis Martin getting in will help Jerome in a way next year” however…. “He’s not a slam dunk” I think The Bus gets in though
So why are the Steelers org holding back on the official confirmation of Haley?
Could be Haley himself
Given some of the HC openings maybe he’s holding out for something better? Looking at his options?
Good point. Could be. From what I’m hearing, the Post-Gazette still will not confirm the hire yet although all signs point that way.
Just not sure why… If I was Haley, I’d want to jump right into this and make up for lost time and get ready for the draft, analyze the team, etc.
Bennie is still in Hawaii……(late honeymoon?) Perhaps they are waiting till he gets back to announce it
All the HC jobs are filled now
that can’t be it
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 7, 2012 9:13 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve heard the Steelers offered and are waiting for his acceptance. They’ve taken their time so far, what’s another day?
by Neal Coolong on Feb 7, 2012 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
Or?
Tomlin simply interviewed three of the most experienced oc candidates available and took his time and did a thorough job. It would be disrespectful to ask any of those men to come to Pittsburgh for anything other than an actual interview and I don’t think Tomlin or the front office would that. If anything, the hiring of Tomlin showed that it pays to shop around and be thorough. There’s a reason they’ve had three coaches since 1969. Or maybe they interviewed Jackson to double dip on the Rooney rule (Caldwell was an African American just three weeks ago) or to ask him what he thought about Todd Haley. Cmon guys!!!!!!
by Micculus on Feb 7, 2012 8:19 AM EST via mobile reply actions
The Rooney Rule
Does it also apply to Assistant Coaches?
I thought it only pertained to the head coaching position.
The Rooney Rule has nothing to do with assistant coaches. Its aim is only to get minority coaches experience in interviewing for head coaching positions.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 7, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
Not Gonna Lie
I like the swagger that Hue Jackson brings to the game.Does that make him a better OC than Todd? I have no idea. I think both can get the job done.
The Standard is the Standard" – Mike Tomlin
by Steel_City_Hustle 6x on Feb 7, 2012 8:37 AM EST reply actions
It's official now......as of 2PM.......says Haley on Steelers.com
"I am excited about the opportunity to come back home and work for a tremendous organization," Haley said. "It is an honor to work with the Rooney family and Coach Tomlin and continue the success that has become synonymous with the Steelers. My father has so many fond memories both from his playing days and his time in the personnel department with the team, and I look forward to helping bring more championships to Pittsburgh and to being a part of one of the storied franchises in the NFL."
Why would you even bring that up?
First of all, no one knows for sure if Jackson was even interviewed. The “Rooney Rule” does not apply in this case. Even if it did, do you think that the very team that fought and lobbied for this rule would even think of interviewing simply for eyewash? If he was interviewed, do you think they would not have hired him if they thought he was the best fit for the organization?
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