Bruce Arians continues 'father-like' relationship with Steelers Ben Roethlisberger

For the Bruce Arians and Todd Haley conspiracy theorists out there, you might want to stop reading this article now. For those who can see a botched departure for exactly what is was, please continue.

When Bruce Arians "retired" from the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to emerge as a NFL Coach of the Year, it became a black eye on the Steelers' organization. The way they handled Arians' departure was a mistake all around, and the organization learned from it by the way they handled both Dick LeBeau's transition out of town and Troy Polamalu's retirement this past offseason.

Despite Arians' success outside of the Steel City, he and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger remain extremely close. Some fans might get disgusted with such a fact, as if the quarterback and former coordinator can't have any type of communication outside of football, but the reality of the situation is their bond was forged in some trivial times in their careers.

"I think he and I got close," Arians told The Telegraph. "We were together so much, especially during the young part of his career."

Those early years in Roethlisberger's career were also ones where Arians was the wide receivers coach. Arians had bounced around the football game for years, looking for a place to call home, and such a promotion would come when he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2007. From there, the two blossomed together by going to two Super Bowls as coordinator and quarterback, winning one of the two championships.

Despite the botched retirement of Arians leaving the Steel City, Roethlisberger and his former coordinator remain close, and Roethlisberger attended Arians' golf tournament recently in Georgia to support abused and neglected children.

"I think it's our job to help kids who can't help themselves," Arians said. "It's not their fault that they're in the situation they're in -- either through abuse or neglect -- and try to save them. Give them a positive voice in their life."

Regardless of your opinions on Arians' time in Pittsburgh, his departure or new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, Arians and Roethlisberger certainly have a bond which won't be broken due to the hat Arians wears on Sundays during the season.

"He's like a son to me," Arians said.