Archive for January, 2009
Steelers’ Tomlin named Coach of the Year
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been rewarded for his efforts this season by being named the 2008 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Tomlin, who guided the Steelers to the Super Bowl in his second season at the helm.
Pittsburgh recorded a 12-4 record in the regular season under Tomlin [...]
Bucs’ Morris following Tomlin’s manual for success
Mondays were for phone calls between Mike Tomlin and Raheem Morris; teacher to student.
Tomlin would go through the latest NFL stats, noting where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive backs ranked in the league.
Then he would mention the overall defensive stats and how the Pittsburgh Steelers were at the top.
“He’s a head coach, and I’m a [...]
Spartanburg product Bell preps for NFL draft, combine
School is out at Furman for Joel Bell, but the big offensive lineman’s education toward his chosen field has only just begun.
The former Spartanburg and Paladins standout is ensconced in around-the-clock training for life in the NFL that will take him up until the draft held April 25-26.
It’s easy to imagine the sudden shift from [...]
Tales: The Hunger of Sammie Lee Hill
“…pick of the draft, the 325 lb. DE from football powerhouse Stillman, Sammie Lee Hill!”
Say what?
You bet. In an innovation that worked beyond their hopes, Greg Thompson, head coach of the Stillman football program, spoke to Dennis Conner, his OC, and they decided to try something new on defense. Their answer was Sammie Lee Hill, [...]
Tomlin shows you can go home again
Apparently, in the case of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, you can go home again.
In leading the Steelers to Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium, Tomlin returns to the location of his first NFL job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tomlin spent five seasons as Tampa Bay’s secondary coach before leaving in [...]
Russell’s struggles make Super Bowl trip sweeter
In the midst of celebration, Gary Russell remembers tougher times.
In six days, the Walnut Ridge High School graduate will play for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.
For the Steelers, trips to the Super Bowl are old hat. For Russell, it is the culmination of an unlikely journey.
“I think about it [...]
Move over Will Smith: Stylish Mike Tomlin’s Super star on the rise
Mike Tomlin walked into his press conference on Thursday sporting a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants. For a guy who wears Versace shades and a cool, puffy black winter coat and gets weekly haircuts for his press conferences that he sometimes shows up for in a dress shirt, this was total dress-down mode. Think Bill [...]
Morris’ Ride from Hofstra Secondary to Tampa Sidelines
Raheem Morris replaced Monte Kiffin as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator on Christmas. Less than a month later on Jan. 17, the team stunned the football world when it fired former Super Bowl winner Jon Gruden and installed the 32-year-old as the team’s new head coach.
But in the eyes of his coach at Hofstra, Joe Gardi, [...]
Morris happy his qualifications — not his race — are the topic in wake of becoming Buccaneers head coach
The news spread quickly through the halls at Irvington High. Raheem Morris, who was sharpening his No. 2 pencil in the classrooms there just 15 years ago, had been named an NFL head coach.
Darnell Grant rushed to find a television to watch the press conference. He was not surprised that his friend had gotten [...]
Tomlin climbed ladder to Steelers quickly
It’s not supposed to be easy replacing legends — just don’t tell Mike Tomlin. In just two seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach, Tomlin has amassed an impressive resume, especially when you consider the two guys he followed — Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher.
After Cowher stepped aside following the 2006 season, offensive coordinator Ken [...]
Morris’ rise not shocking to Watts
Raheem Morris had been 30 all of one day before serving as a defensive coordinator for the first time in his life.
The date was Sept. 2, 2006. It was the first game of Ron Prince’s short three-year tenure as head coach at Kansas State, and the Wildcats escaped with a nail-biting 24-23 victory against Illinois [...]
