The Pittsburgh Steelers are hiring their fourth head coach since 1969 after Mike Tomlin stepped away from 19 years at the helm. Tomlin was hired in January 2007 following Bill Cowher’s resignation after the 2006 season. Art Rooney II led the head coach search with his father, Dan Rooney, as chairman, and General Manager Kevin Colbert interviewed the candidates with him.

Here is a timeline of the hiring process.

An Era Ends

December 31st, 2006 – The Steelers end the 2006 regular season on New Year’s Eve, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-17 in overtime on December 31, 2006, to finish 8-8, just one season after winning the Super Bowl. They finished the second half of the season 6-2 to reach .500.

January 1st – Bill Cowher confirms he would announce his return, or departure, within a week. Rumors had circulated earlier that he might step away after 15 seasons as head coach.

January 4th – An article in the Grand Forks Herald speculates that Tomlin could be a head coach candidate for Pittsburgh if Bill Cowher departs.

January 5th – On Friday, Bill Cowher steps down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 15 seasons. Cowher cites wanting to spend more time with family as the reason.

First Interview Round

January 6th – Ken Whisenhunt (44 years old) and Russ Grimm (47) emerge as in-house favorites to take over. Both candidates already interviewed for other vacancies. Whisenhunt interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals, with another scheduled with Miami. Grimm interviewed with the Cardinals.

January 6th – The Steelers have their first interview with Ron Rivera, the defensive coordinator of the Bears, since Chicago is on a Wild Card Bye. Highly considered, Rivera’s interview also fulfills the Rooney Rule requirement.

January 8th – The Steelers interview Russ Grimm, who then flies to Arizona for an interview with the Cardinals.

January 9th – The Steelers interview Ken Whisenhunt.

January 10th – The Steelers conduct the first interview with Mike Tomlin. Just two days before, he had interviewed with the Dolphins. Despite having just one year of experience as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator at age 34.

January 12th – Arizona Cardinals conduct a second interview with Whisenhunt.

January 13th – Steelers interview fifth candidate Chan Gailey (55) a late addition. A former WR coach and offensive coordinator under Cowher who left Pittsburgh to be the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Second Interview Round

The Steelers planned to conduct second interviews, 10 days after Cowher’s resignation.

January 14th (Sunday) – Ken Whisenhunt accepts the Arizona Cardinals’ offer to be their head coach, removing him from contention.

January 15th (Monday) – The Steelers announce three candidates to be interviewed a second time. Russ Grimm, Mike Tomlin, and Ron Rivera. But Rivera cannot be interviewed until their season ends. Gailey does not progress to the next round but is a finalist for the Miami Dolphins’ head coach job.

January 16th – Tomlin’s second interview.

January 17th – Russ Grimm’s second interview.

January 21st (Sunday) – Bears defeat New Orleans Saints 39-14 in the NFC Conference Championship. That meant Ron Rivera was unavailable for the second interview until 5 February after the Super Bowl.

January 22nd – The Steelers announce Mike Tomlin as the franchise’s 16th head coach.

NFL Head Coach Vacancies Filled Before 2007 Season

Arizona Cardinals – Ken Whisenhunt replaced Dennis Green.

Atlanta Falcons – Bobby Petrino replaced Jim Mora.

Dallas Cowboys – Wade Phillips replaced Bill Parcells.

Miami Dolphins – Cam Cameron replaced Nick Saban

Oakland Raiders – Lane Kiffin replaced Art Shell.

San Diego Chargers – Norv Turner replaced Marty Schottenheimer.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Tomlin replaced Bill Cowher.

The media speculated on other potential candidates for the Steelers’ job, including Kirk Ferentz, who is still Iowa’s head coach, Jim Caldwell, Colts assistant head and quarterbacks coach, and Mike Sherman, former Packers head coach. But the Steelers never mentioned them. The Colts played the Bears in the Super Bowl, so Caldwell would not have been available until February anyway.

Conclusion

The timeline shows that Mike Tomlin was an early candidate to be the Steelers’ head coach. But Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm had the inside track. All three interviewed for other head coach vacancies. So, they were hot commodities.

Ron Rivera received early consideration. But the Bears’ success prevented a second interview before February. Perhaps losing Whisenhunt to the Cardinals pressured the Steelers to pull the trigger instead of waiting. Or Mike Tomlin impressed them so much that they did not feel the need to wait. Most likely a combination.

Art Rooney II was 54 when he led the search in 2006. His father, Dan, and GM Kevin Colbert actively participated in the interviews and selection process. Today, the Steelers’ heir apparent, Daniel Martin Rooney, is just 36. So, the search committee primarily includes Art and current GM Omar Kahn. But young Dan is surely in the background, gaining experience. I hope he is 54 when the Steelers hire their next head coach.

Your Song Selection

I always like to include a bit of music. It’s been a long time since the Steelers hired a head coach. Hope it’s been longer before we hire the next one. Here is It’s been a long, long time performed by Kitty Kallen with the Harry James Orchestra.