Amid a bullying scandal and fresh off an alleged proclamation all Dolphins key non-quarterback positions are available via trade, head coach Joe Philbin announced Saturday the team hired Jack Bicknell Jr. as their assistant offensive line coach, under also newly hired offensive line coach John Benton.
Per the team's web site,"With the promotion of John Benton, along with the addition of Jack Bicknell Jr. we have two experienced football coaches who have an impressive history working with and developing quality offensive line units," Philbin said. "They are both excellent teachers and are highly respected within the coaching community. Both coaches will be great assets to the Miami Dolphins organization."
Bicknell was fired after one season in Pittsburgh, and Mike Munchak was hired as his replacement this offseason.
Much of what Philbin said mirrors what Mike Tomlin said last year of Bicknell, and after a season in which the Steelers offensive line suffered quite a bit (including the loss of center Maurkice Pouncey) but rebounded to end the year strong, it's not a surprise Bicknell was hired as an assistant. Rumors circulated that Bicknell was not in charge of the unit on a day-to-day basis by the end, and many of those duties had been assumed by assistant Sean Sarrett.
Sarrett was interviewed for the position upon Bicknell's departure, with the Steelers opting to hire one of the game's most experienced and successful offensive line coaches. Sarrett was retained.
It seemed like there was a reason Bicknell was not.