WHERE ARE THE YOUNG ROONEYS AT?

[stuntmanmike]

I think this is a fair question. Old Art is content with watching the team flounder. “oh we a winning season what are you complaining about?” Even Mike Tomlin understood things couldn’t continue as it were… so what does Art do? Continue things on as they were!!! Young klint kubiak should have at LEAST have been interviewed. Several good young coaches offensive and defensive should have been interviewed… they earned it. What?! Was there a big lineup looking to hire heart attack Mike away? Klint grew up into this league and was probably the best coach in football the last 2 years all things considered. Hes as close to a good run/pass man as Noll was. No football man worth his salt would trade 500 Mike McCathys, a sinking ship if ever there was one, for a good up and coming coach like Klint! It will take a miracle for Mike to make it 5 years! It will take a bigger miracle for him to win! He looked like he was having a heart attack at the mic stand as it was! Face it Steeler fans, Mike Tomlin did, it’s time for change all the way at the top! This hiring proves it!

 

[Punxsutawney]

Dan Rooney Jr (who is in his 30s) reportedly took part in the interviews with Art2 and Omar.

It's not clear how much influence he might have had on the McCarthy hire.

Time will tell regarding McCarthy, but I'm not sure how he is considered washed up or a "sinking ship" by so many while the likes of John Harbaugh and Sean Payton are still considered great coaches.

They all became head coaches around the same time (McCarthy and Payton both in 2006) and have very similar resumes.

 

[steelhurt]

I don’t think most are saying or thinking Mike McCarthy is washed up. No, not at all.
What I think folks against his hire are really saying is that Mike was not the correct hire for this team.
Regardless of what crazy Rooney thinks this current team is nowhere near ready to compete for a SB.
They have an aging defensive roster with too many overpaid veterans whose best years are behind them.
They have no franchise QB. One #2 WR, One pretty good RB.
Some good pieces on the OL but questions at LG and LT.
This team needed torn down to the studs and if that means they step back a season or two and have some losing seasons, fine. Puts us in position to draft a franchise QB and other blue chip players.
Hiring Mike was just running it back and that’s not what we needed.
A young up and coming coordinator made the most sense. A Klint Kubiak that could have been told by ownership they would have plenty of patience and allow him to build his team in his image.
He could identify his young QB and build his team.
No, goofy Looney I mean Rooney hires a HC who is three years older than when Chuck Noll retired.
Let that one sink in!

 

[SteelerFan448]

Looking at Kubiak, these teams are in touch with agents. Maybe Kubiak didn't want to go to a team in QB purgatory so the Steelers were never an option. He also seems like the frontrunner for Las Vegas and its been that way for awhile. Brady probably has a strong influence there, plus having the top QB with Mendoza. The rest of the young coordinators we thought were the top of lists all look like they're going to strike out.

 

[Punxsutawney]

I don’t think most are saying or thinking Mike McCarthy is washed up. No, not at all.
What I think folks against his hire are really saying is that Mike was not the correct hire for this team.
Regardless of what crazy Rooney thinks this current team is nowhere near ready to compete for a SB.
They have an aging defensive roster with too many overpaid veterans whose best years are behind them.
They have no franchise QB. One #2 WR, One pretty good RB.
Some good pieces on the OL but questions at LG and LT.
This team needed torn down to the studs and if that means they step back a season or two and have some losing seasons, fine. Puts us in position to draft a franchise QB and other blue chip players.
Hiring Mike was just running it back and that’s not what we needed.
A young up and coming coordinator made the most sense. A Klint Kubiak that could have been told by ownership they would have plenty of patience and allow him to build his team in his image.
He could identify his young QB and build his team.
No, goofy Looney I mean Rooney hires a HC who is three years older than when Chuck Noll retired.
Let that one sink in!

There's younger talent on defense as well once one looks beyond Heyward, Watt and Ramsey.

I tend to be in the camp that there might be more talent on the roster than it seemed in recent years due to the shortcomings of Tomlin and his staffs becoming more apparent every year

Even if some substantial roster building is necessary, who's to say McCarthy cannot do what Payton has done in Denver within the next few years?

The Steelers weren't the only team who chose to go with a veteran HC over the hotshot younger coordinators in recent weeks

Everyone seems convinced Kubiak, Shula and Scheelhass are can't miss/Ben Johnson caliber candidates......except all the teams that chose to go in a different direction instead of waiting on them.

I liked Shula a lot, but it is something to think about when fretting over the Steelers potentially missing out on the next Chuck Noll or Sean McVay by hiring McCarthy.

 

[steelhurt]

Mike McCarthy was a pretty good coach but never to be confused with Sean Payton.
Sean built a SB winning team in New Orleans and has already built a championship caliber team in Denver and would have been SB bound if Bo Nix could have played.
Payton has turned that franchise around in a short time.
McCarthy inherited Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers and consider, only reached one SB with Rodgers in all of his prime years.
Inherited Dak Prescott in Dallas and couldn’t sniff a SB.
Only managed one playoff win in five years in Dallas and the last loss was a horrible home loss to the Packers.
Keep trying to convince yourself that McCarthy is the answer. Not me!

 

[Punxsutawney]

Mike McCarthy was a pretty good coach but never to be confused with Sean Payton.
Sean built a SB winning team in New Orleans and has already built a championship caliber team in Denver and would have been SB bound if Bo Nix could have played.
Payton has turned that franchise around in a short time.
McCarthy inherited Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers and consider, only reached one SB with Rodgers in all of his prime years.
Inherited Dak Prescott in Dallas and couldn’t sniff a SB.
Only managed one playoff win in five years in Dallas and the last loss was a horrible home loss to the Packers.
Keep trying to convince yourself that McCarthy is the answer. Not me!

Payton is often criticized for reaching only one Superbowl with Drew Brees.

Aaron Rodgers wasn't ARod when McCarthy got to the Packers.

Regardless of how much credit one wants to give him for Rodgers development, McCarthy oversaw the transition from Favre to Rodgers with it going about as well as it possibly could have.

Recall Favre was doing his "in and out of retirement" drama queen bullshit at that time.

I'm not going to hold the lack of post season success in Dallas against McCarthy that much, as no coach has had it working for Jerry Jones for 30 years now.

 

[steelhurt]

Payton is often criticized for reaching only one Superbowl with Drew Brees.

Aaron Rodgers wasn't ARod when McCarthy got to the Packers.

Regardless of how much credit one wants to give him for Rodgers development, McCarthy oversaw the transition from Favre to Rodgers with it going about as well as it possibly could have.

Recall Favre was doing his "in and out of retirement" drama queen bullshit at that time.

I'm not going to hold the lack of post season success in Dallas against McCarthy that much, as no coach has had it working for Jerry Jones for 30 years now.

McCarthy had little to do with developing Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was an extremely talented QB when the Packers drafted him and were lucky to get him where they did.
McCarthy is no QB whisperer.
As a matter of fact he was with SF when he had input on the QB the Niners drafted and he liked and they drafted Alex Smith.
Don’t give this guy too much credit. I saw a lot of Cowboys games while living here in Houston and
the diehard Cowboy fans couldn’t wait for this guy to be fired.
Granted working for Jones can’t be any picnic but he’s a lot like the guy we just got rid of.
Wins his share of games in the regular season and falls apart in the playoffs.
Did you see the DC he just hired? Not good!

 

[steel dino]

I don’t think most are saying or thinking Mike McCarthy is washed up. No, not at all.
What I think folks against his hire are really saying is that Mike was not the correct hire for this team.
Regardless of what crazy Rooney thinks this current team is nowhere near ready to compete for a SB.
They have an aging defensive roster with too many overpaid veterans whose best years are behind them.
They have no franchise QB. One #2 WR, One pretty good RB.
Some good pieces on the OL but questions at LG and LT.
This team needed torn down to the studs and if that means they step back a season or two and have some losing seasons, fine. Puts us in position to draft a franchise QB and other blue chip players.
Hiring Mike was just running it back and that’s not what we needed.
A young up and coming coordinator made the most sense. A Klint Kubiak that could have been told by ownership they would have plenty of patience and allow him to build his team in his image.
He could identify his young QB and build his team.
No, goofy Looney I mean Rooney hires a HC who is three years older than when Chuck Noll retired.
Let that one sink in!

Totally agree that we have a lot of holes to fill in. This team is far far from being a serious contender. It is amazing that they’ve competed as well as they have last 4 to 6 years.
So my point is do you really want to hire a young first time NFL head coach to lead this team into a total rebuild, and at the same time manage, and be a leader of the veterans in the room.?
I think not. I think you need a man, an NFL experienced man with instant credibility with the veteran leadership in the room, and also the proven ability to build a football team to a competitive level that is needed and desired.
Not only that, we have no quarterback!!
Once again do you want first time young NFL head coach to do all these things including develop a new quarterback?!?
And don’t forget the first time young NFL Head Coach would also have to develop himself into a confident leader in the league, at the same time all these other things are happening and needed to be addressed and corrected.
I think not…
If you answer is still yes to a young WizKid moving into the head coaching role on this team at this current time, I would have to say please rethink your stance.
We need a coach to develop this team over the next 3 to 5 years to get back to a Super Bowl contender. We need a man like Mike McCarthy, experienced knowledgeable, dedicated, and with a track record of achieving success in the NFL.

 

[diver]

Mike McCarthy was a pretty good coach but never to be confused with Sean Payton.
Sean built a SB winning team in New Orleans and has already built a championship caliber team in Denver and would have been SB bound if Bo Nix could have played.
Payton has turned that franchise around in a short time.
McCarthy inherited Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers and consider, only reached one SB with Rodgers in all of his prime years.
Inherited Dak Prescott in Dallas and couldn’t sniff a SB.
Only managed one playoff win in five years in Dallas and the last loss was a horrible home loss to the Packers.
Keep trying to convince yourself that McCarthy is the answer. Not me!

That's fine, and you may be right. But can you be convinced that Kubiak, Shula or Scheelhaase are the answer? They are complete unknowns with no record as a head coach. It is easy to just state those guys would be better.

I wasn't thrilled with the hire, either, but not because I know anything about those guys. It just wasn't exciting, and the new thing is always more exciting. I don't think though you can discount McCarthy because of his record and raise up the other guys that have no record. You are an older guy like me. One thing we have seen over and over again is guys who are really good at coordinating but aren't any good as head coaches. We'll see. I'm gonna hope for the best, like I have every year in my over 50 years of fandom.

 

[Punxsutawney]

McCarthy had little to do with developing Aaron Rodgers.

Nobody can say that for sure.

I don't doubt Rodgers would have been "good" regardless, but exactly how good is debatable. He lasted as long as he did in the draft for a reason, and it wasn't drug-related issues like Marino.

There were some concerns about his mechanics, as I recall.

Maybe Rodgers sucks if he goes to that terrible 49ers team in 2005 and is forced to play right away as opposed to sitting and learning behind Brett Favre and McCarthy for a few years?

It's worth noting that Alex Smith eventually did become a solid QB1 in the league, though obviously not to the level of Rodgers.

The fact McCarthy still got the Packers job after that year with the 49ers speaks to the job he did as Saints OC in the early 2000s.

They were in the top half of the league in scoring during that time despite the limitations of Aaron Brooks at QB.

Rich Gannon has also credited McCarthy for his development with the Chiefs in the late 1990s.

Unfortunately, Jon Gruden and the Raiders benefitted from it because Marty Schottenheimer and Gunther Cunningham had a hard-on for Elvis Grbac that could not be satisfied.

The list of QBs McCarthy has worked directly with is pretty remarkable.

Though he obviously did not develop Joe Montana or Brett Favre, his coaching experience with those guys has tremendous value, IMO.

People talk about great coaches developing players, but I imagine it can be a two-way street in some respects.

 

[steelhurt]

Nobody can say that for sure.

I don't doubt Rodgers would have been "good" regardless, but exactly how good is debatable. He lasted as long as he did in the draft for a reason, and it wasn't drug-related issues like Marino.

There were some concerns about his mechanics, as I recall.

Maybe Rodgers sucks if he goes to that terrible 49ers team in 2005 and is forced to play right away as opposed to sitting and learning behind Brett Favre and McCarthy for a few years?

It's worth noting that Alex Smith eventually did become a solid QB1 in the league, though obviously not to the level of Rodgers.

The fact McCarthy still got the Packers job after that year with the 49ers speaks to the job he did as Saints OC in the early 2000s.

They were in the top half of the league in scoring during that time despite the limitations of Aaron Brooks at QB.

Rich Gannon has also credited McCarthy for his development with the Chiefs in the late 1990s.

Unfortunately, Jon Gruden and the Raiders benefitted from it because Marty Schottenheimer and Gunther Cunningham had a hard-on for Elvis Grbac that could not be satisfied.

The list of QBs McCarthy has worked directly with is pretty remarkable.

Though he obviously did not develop Joe Montana or Brett Favre, his coaching experience with those guys has tremendous value, IMO.

People talk about great coaches developing players, but I imagine it can be a two-way street in some respects.

Well, I respect the fact you are supporting this hire.
That’s cool, but I just can’t talk myself into it.
This could blow up in Rooney’s face or just be status quo, 9-8, 10-7, back into the playoffs and get blown out in wildcard round.
I would have preferred interviewing Klint Kubiak and hiring him and rebuilding this thing.

 

[steelhurt]

Totally agree that we have a lot of holes to fill in. This team is far far from being a serious contender. It is amazing that they’ve competed as well as they have last 4 to 6 years.
So my point is do you really want to hire a young first time NFL head coach to lead this team into a total rebuild, and at the same time manage, and be a leader of the veterans in the room.?
I think not. I think you need a man, an NFL experienced man with instant credibility with the veteran leadership in the room, and also the proven ability to build a football team to a competitive level that is needed and desired.
Not only that, we have no quarterback!!
Once again do you want first time young NFL head coach to do all these things including develop a new quarterback?!?
And don’t forget the first time young NFL Head Coach would also have to develop himself into a confident leader in the league, at the same time all these other things are happening and needed to be addressed and corrected.
I think not…
If you answer is still yes to a young WizKid moving into the head coaching role on this team at this current time, I would have to say please rethink your stance.
We need a coach to develop this team over the next 3 to 5 years to get back to a Super Bowl contender. We need a man like Mike McCarthy, experienced knowledgeable, dedicated, and with a track record of achieving success in the NFL.

The aging vets, Watt, Hayward,Ramsey, we’ve won absolutely nothing with.
I would have preferred hiring the young coach and moving on from these aging vets.
Allow a young g, bright, innovative coach to build his team and if we have a down year or two fine, if it means we can draft out franchise QB for that young coach to groom.
I don’t like this method one bit. It will lead to frustration results and set us back even further.

 

[steelhurt]

That's fine, and you may be right. But can you be convinced that Kubiak, Shula or Scheelhaase are the answer? They are complete unknowns with no record as a head coach. It is easy to just state those guys would be better.

I wasn't thrilled with the hire, either, but not because I know anything about those guys. It just wasn't exciting, and the new thing is always more exciting. I don't think though you can discount McCarthy because of his record and raise up the other guys that have no record. You are an older guy like me. One thing we have seen over and over again is guys who are really good at coordinating but aren't any good as head coaches. We'll see. I'm gonna hope for the best, like I have every year in my over 50 years of fandom.

Never any guarantees right?
The fact this owner is afraid to take risk continues to set this franchise back.
Chuck Noll was a risk in 1969. He with the help of Dan Rooney, Nill Nunn, and Dick Haley built a dynasty.
Bill Cowher was a risk in 1992 but got to a couple SBs and won in 2005.
Even Shades was a risk, a huge risk but the early years were good ones with two SB appearances and a win.
This owner is gutless and afraid of risk. He prefers safe by hiring a 62 year old twice fire coach.

 

[Punxsutawney]

Well, I respect the fact you are supporting this hire.
That’s cool, but I just can’t talk myself into it.
This could blow up in Rooney’s face or just be status quo, 9-8, 10-7, back into the playoffs and get blown out in wildcard round.
I would have preferred interviewing Klint Kubiak and hiring him and rebuilding this thing.

Personally, I would have rolled the dice on Shula or Scheelhass, but I can see why the Steelers wanted an offensive coach with the experience of McCarthy.

We can disagree, but I think the Steelers have a better chance of winning a championship under McCarthy over the next few years than if Tomlin had remained the coach.

With McCarthy, the Steelers at least have a shot to build a championship caliber offense.

With Tomlin, there was no hope of that.

 

[steelhurt]

Personally, I would have rolled the dice on Shula or Scheelhass, but I can see why the Steelers wanted an offensive coach with the experience of McCarthy.

We can disagree, but I think the Steelers have a better chance of winning a championship under McCarthy over the next few years than if Tomlin had remained the coach.

With McCarthy, the Steelers at least have a shot to build a championship caliber offense.

With Tomlin, there was no hope of that.

Well I agree with you on Shades, thats for sure.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Personally, I would have rolled the dice on Shula or Scheelhass, but I can see why the Steelers wanted an offensive coach with the experience of McCarthy.

We can disagree, but I think the Steelers have a better chance of winning a championship under McCarthy over the next few years than if Tomlin had remained the coach.

With McCarthy, the Steelers at least have a shot to build a championship caliber offense.

With Tomlin, there was no hope of that.

I'm just as confident the Steelers could go 6-11 as 10-7. McCarthy isn't going to play the "win at all cost" style Tomlin plays at the expense of developing an NFL-caliber offense capable of winning in the playoffs.

 

[diver]

Never any guarantees right?
The fact this owner is afraid to take risk continues to set this franchise back.
Chuck Noll was a risk in 1969. He with the help of Dan Rooney, Nill Nunn, and Dick Haley built a dynasty.
Bill Cowher was a risk in 1992 but got to a couple SBs and won in 2005.
Even Shades was a risk, a huge risk but the early years were good ones with two SB appearances and a win.
This owner is gutless and afraid of risk. He prefers safe by hiring a 62 year old twice fire coach.

There aren't. We know these guys are young, but the question remains if they are bright and innovative. Why isn't McCarthy a risk? Any new hire has risk.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

Never any guarantees right?
The fact this owner is afraid to take risk continues to set this franchise back.
Chuck Noll was a risk in 1969. He with the help of Dan Rooney, Nill Nunn, and Dick Haley built a dynasty.
Bill Cowher was a risk in 1992 but got to a couple SBs and won in 2005.
Even Shades was a risk, a huge risk but the early years were good ones with two SB appearances and a win.
This owner is gutless and afraid of risk. He prefers safe by hiring a 62 year old twice fire coach.

8 of 10 jobs have been filled and none have gone to the Rams or Seahawks assistants. Maybe the young guys weren't ready. I'm ok with McCarthy and glad they broke away from the MO of hiring a guy in his mid 30's and giving him a lifetime deal. We just saw how that can go south and then you're stuck for 10-12 years.

 

[Sarge]

We just saw how that can go south and then you're stuck for 10-12 years.

That's the thing. They weren't stuck. Stuck in the past maybe. They could have moved on at any time. They simply chose not to. That's not being stuck, that's being stupid.

 

[Punxsutawney]

That's the thing. They weren't stuck. Stuck in the past maybe. They could have moved on at any time. They simply chose not to. That's not being stuck, that's being stupid.

...or overly loyal, but either way, the result is the same.

 

[TDX27]

McCarthy will be fine, but the guy he is hiring for DC is very worrisome. The dudes track record shows he should not be a DC. I really don't get that hire.

 

[steelhurt]

8 of 10 jobs have been filled and none have gone to the Rams or Seahawks assistants. Maybe the young guys weren't ready. I'm ok with McCarthy and glad they broke away from the MO of hiring a guy in his mid 30's and giving him a lifetime deal. We just saw how that can go south and then you're stuck for 10-12 years.

My biggest problem was not even interviewing Klint Kubiak. That’s the guy I wanted from the start.
I certainly would have been fine with Chris Shula.
Nathan Sheelhase too raw yet! I think he needs more seasoning and should be an OC first.
Surprised at how many retreads got hired but I guess that’s how these hiring trends go sometimes.
Shula and Kubiak will get their chance. Maybe not this hiring cycle but they’ll get their chance.

 

[diver]

McCarthy will be fine, but the guy he is hiring for DC is very worrisome. The dudes track record shows he should not be a DC. I really don't get that hire.

Listen to Scouts Eye about Graham. Williamson is warming up to the guy. He said he has taken lack of talent and made it better

 

[steelhurt]

There aren't. We know these guys are young, but the question remains if they are bright and innovative. Why isn't McCarthy a risk? Any new hire has risk.

That’s right! Any new hire is a risk.
We don’t do this stuff very often so it’s foreign to most of us.
I remember pre Chuck Noll, the old man would hire and fire head coaches quite a bit.
There’s an old story about how old man Art back in the day ran into Pat Summerall the former player and TV reporter at an airport and asked him if he wanted to coach his Steelers. Pat replied he wasn’t a coach and couldn’t help him.
That’s how goofy the old man was. I see similarities with his grandson.
Both nice guys and great in the community but not good football people.
Dan, completely different story!