Pittsburgh Steelers season forecast: Clouds moving out giving way to clear skies
Coaching Experience
In coaching, chemistry is just as important with the staff as it is between the players on the field, but actually, even more so. Mike Tomlin, Randy Fichtner, and Keith Butler have a long history together dating back to the college ranks and now find themselves back together again to coach one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Their current tenure together has seen them experience three Super Bowls with Fichtner and Butler serving in lesser positions during that time period. Growing pains are a part of the job and all of them have been through challenges that always didn’t turn out for the best.
However, thank goodness for the patience of the Rooney’s of whom gave the coaches time to mature in their positions without the pending consequences of job security. They have been close over the past five years and akin to learning from your mistakes, the coaches are better from the trials that they have faced. Player evaluations, game management, offensive/defensive schemes have all matured from those experiences and have the coaches more prepared than ever before.
Throw in Mike Munchak with his 37-years of NFL experience who has had the opportunity to move to other Teams as a head coach but chose to stay put, you now have the foundation of a well-respected coaching staff.
I know, Randy Fichtner is in his first year of calling plays full time as the OC, but don’t overlook the fact that he has been with Big Ben all of his playing careers. The transition will not be a problem because of the chemistry that the OC and the QB have carries a lot of weight. Going into the season I give this group an A- only because we have to see how the offense functions under pressure with the new OC.