The Pittsburgh Steelers announced today that offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is retiring from coaching and a great day it is in the Burgh.
“I appreciate his efforts over the past five years as the team’s offensive coordinator and for helping lead our offense to new heights during his time with the Steelers,” head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement released by the team. “I am grateful to Bruce for contributing to our success and wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.”
Pittsburgh’s offense this season ranked 12th in yards per game (372.3), but was tied for 21st in points (325).
Arians became the offensive coordinator when Ken Whisenhunt departed for Arizona’s head coaching job. He was the Steelers’ wide receivers coach for three years (2004-06) prior to his promotion.
The 59-year-old served as Cleveland’s offensive coordinator from 2001-03 before joining the Steelers. He also had been an assistant with Indianapolis, New Orleans and Kansas City, and for several college teams. His lone experience as a head coach was at Temple University from 1983-88.
The question now becomes who will take his place. Will the Steelers hire from with in the organization by promoting QB coach Randy Fichtner or go to an outsider such as previous position coaches from days gone by in Mark Whipple or Tom Clements or will they go outside the building and go do something bold and go after a Todd Haley type.
As son of Dick Haley, former Director of Player Personnel for the Steelers, Todd Haley has been a name associated with the potential coordinator opening.
Haley is remembered by Steelers fans as the coordinator who had a great offense in Arizona with Kurt Warner at quarterback. In Super Bowl 43, the Cardinals gave the Steelers top-rated defense all they could handle.
However, it is hard to look past Haley’s personality, specifically how his strong personality would mesh with Roethlisberger. Somehow, I don’t believe it would be a great match.
There is no doubting that Haley has a good offensive mind, but he has yet to land a job since being fired from Kansas City. After his lack of success with the Chiefs, is it worth taking a risk on a coach like Haley?
Probably not, but his name is being thrown out there.
Your Thoughts?
Which candidate do you like and why?
What other names would you like to consider?
What do you want the potentially new coordinator to bring to the Steelers offense?
Who will have the biggest influence on the new hire: Art Rooney, Mike Tomlin or Ben Roethlisberger?
About the Author Jim McMillen
The Editor & Chief, the brains so to say, behind Pittsburgh Blitz. Jim is a rabid sports fan who just loves his Stillers, Pens and Buccos. Feel free to contact us at steelerguy26[@]yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments or would like to join our staff and write for Pittsburgh Blitz.
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Fichtner sounds like the best man up if you ask me. He’s already in the system and has a great rapport with Ben and the receivers. I honestly don’t think that the Steelers will look outside the organization for an OC. The Steelers have not had much success with outside offensive coordinators.
Free at Last! I would make a strong bid for Steve Mariuci. He would be great with Ben. He could be part of a championship run and get his name back in the future HC pool. He loves to coach and has seemed to want to get back to it for a while.
There is also a a bunch of OC’s looking for HC positions, so there should be a lot available. More on this later.
I would love to see Todd Haley as the new OC. His attitude is something I think the Steelers offense lacks. The D has it, but the O does not and could use it.