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Published: Sunday, February 11, 2007

Steelers choose untested coach to replace Cowher

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Think Mike Tomlin can cut the mustard in the National Football League as a head coach?

The Rooneys apparently believe he can and that's why they gave him a four-year contract worth about $2.5 million a year, to direct their Pittsburgh Steelers organization.

That's a lot of money for a coach who has never held a head coaching position in the NFL. The Rooneys, in all probability, know a lot more than the rest of us die-hard Steeler fans profess to know.

Tomlin came out of nowhere, similar to Charles Howell III's challenge that he threw at Tiger Woods in the recent Buick Open. Howell wasn't even in the chase going into the final round at Torrey Pines but came on strong to finish two strokes behind Tiger Woods who nailed down his seventh consecutive PGA Tour victory.

Not in running

Tomlin, like Howell, was nowhere to be found, almost unheard of, when the Steelers opened their quest to hire a new coach. They were attempting to replace former Steelers head coach, Bill Cowher, who apparently was headed for a bit of relaxation in the Carolinas.

Those apparently in the Rooneys' eyes were perceived front-runners Ken Whisenhunt (offensive coordinator) and Russ Grimm (offensive line). Prior to Tomlin's hiring, Whisenhunt was named head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Right now, Tomlin is unscored upon as the Steelers' head coach. We'll see it that holds up once the fireworks get under way this fall.

He could be a ringer, exploding on the scene with a vicious fury, leaving his opponents in the dust. He could do just that since not too many people know anything about him or his coaching tactics — just what the doctor ordered!

Calling the Steelers, "One of the storied franchises in sports," Tomlin is the first black coach in the team's 74-year-old history. He is also Pittsburgh's third coach in 38 years with Chuck Noll and Cowher filling in those vacated numbers.

Defensive coach

Either Tomlin is as good as the Rooneys believe or he had an excellent résumé. He is untested as a head coach, serving as an NFL coordinator for only one season as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator. The Vikings' defense was successful last season.

At age 34, Tomlin will be at, near or even under a lot of his Steeler players. But this was all taken into consideration by the Rooneys.

Tomlin was granted two strong interviews and the Rooneys were highly impressed with his extreme enthusiasm, motivation and organizational skills. He is what they wanted.

Tomlin was quoted as saying "We want to play the kind of football the Steelers want to play." That apparently related to stopping the run, playing an intense, smash-mouth type of football, while brandishing a type of defense that has proved to be the success story of Steelers football down through the years.

While talking about defense, Tomlin prefers the 4-3 defense while the Steelers have relied upon the 3-4 since 1983. The 4-3 defense has been one that All-Pro Safety Troy Polamalu, before his injury, had been bruising NFL offenses for the past several years.

After last season's fiasco in which the Steelers got off to a horrendous start following the Super Bowl victory the previous year, Pittsburgh fans will greet their new coach with open arms That feeling will intensify when he starts putting wins in the record books.

That may be sooner than you think.

In a blue-collar city like Pittsburgh., where football fans eat, drink and bleed with the Black and Gold, and where people teach their children about Steelers stalwarts such as Jerome Bettis, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert and others, it is very important that the Steelers uphold the traditions of the past.

To you, Mike Tomlin, we're wishing you the very best as you step into the head coaching position. A lot of people are depending on you.

Anyone good enough for the Rooneys is good enough for us.

Go get 'em, Mike!

Herrmann repeats

Joe Herrmann a 6-5 junior forward for the Thiel College men's basketball team, has been named once again as the Presidents' Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

Having gained the honors earlier this year, Herrmann captured the honors for the second time this season after posting a double-double with 28 points and 13 rebounds as the Tomcats won on the road, 64-60, over conference rival Waynesburg

Herrmann shot 11-15 (73 percent) from the floor in the circuit victory. Joe, who hails from Hartstown, Pa., played his high school ball at Jamestown High School (Pa.).

Sunday, February 11, 2007