The 5 best offensive coordinators in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite their success in the regular season and postseason since the NFL merger, the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a long list of notable offensive coordinators. Most of Pittsburgh's success over the years has been attributed to their legendary defenses.

Regardless, some offensive coordinators deserve to be recognized as the greatest to ever hold this pivotal coaching role for Pittsburgh. Thanks to creative play-calling and role distribution on offense, these coordinators helped dig the Steelers out of low-scoring slumps to produce some of the greatest offenses in the history of the franchise.

Because quarterback Terry Bradshaw called his own plays on offense, the Steelers didn't hire their first offense coordinator until 1983. Some of these coordinators showcased impressive longevity while others were snatched away from Pittsburgh's coaching staff after receiving a promotion with other teams.

Criteria for selection

Ranking the Steelers' best offensive coordinators over the years isn't as simple as sorting them by points per game. Statistics like points per game and yards per game are important, as are where Pittsburgh ranked in major offensive categories compared to the rest of the league. However, other factors were considered.

How each offensive coordinator utilized the talent they had to work with was factored into these rankings, as well as any special niches they brought with them to the team. Additionally, leadership qualities and intangibles were weighed into these rankings.

Likewise, longevity as the Steelers' offensive coordinator played a factor, as did the manner in which they departed from the team (some left after being promoted to a head coaching position).

To qualify for a ranking, coaches must have spent a minimum of one year as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The top 5 offensive coordinators in Pittsburgh Steelers history

5. Tom Moore

Tom Moore was the first offensive coordinator the Steelers ever had, but that hardly makes him the worst. After Terry Bradshaw called his own plays for 14 years, Pittsburgh knew it was time to hire an OC who could take some of the weight off their quarterback.

Moore landed his first major NFL coaching role with the Steelers in 1983. After finishing 14th in points per game and 22nd in yards, Moore's offense took a notable step forward in 1984. His 24.2 points per game ranked 8th in the league that year.

After three promising years as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator, Moore's offense dipped in both points and yards in his final four seasons with the team. Following the 1989 season, the long-time Steelers OC was promoted to assistant head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

4. Chan Gailey

Some of my earliest football memories came when Chan Gailey was the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though his tenure with the team was short (from 1996 to 1997), Gailey did some impressive things on offense in a short amount of time.

Following the departure of quarterback Neil O'Donnell during the '96 free agency period, Gailey helped transition from bridge QB Mike Tomczak to the electrifying Kordell Stewart. During his two years as offensive coordinator of the Steelers, Gailey's offense averaged nearly 22.5 points per game.

Before being hired as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 1998, Gailey's offense finished 7th in scoring and 6th in yards en route to an 11-5 season in 1997, which resulted in making it to the AFC Championship Game.

3. Ken Whisenhunt

Ken Whisenhunt's first season as offensive coordinator just so happened to be the only season in franchise history in which the Steelers finished with a 15-1 record. While Whisenhunt's success was undeniably aided by an amazing defense and a stellar, young Ben Roethlisberger, he executed the game plan to perfection to help Pittsburgh control the clock and win football games.

Even with a conservative game plan focused on running the football and limiting risks, Whisenhunt's offense finished 11th in points per game during his first season as offensive coordinator. Pittsburgh's offense took a step forward in 2005. Though the team's record was worse, the offense scored 24.3 points per game (9th in the NFL) and the season resulted in a Super Bowl win against the Seahawks.

Following an 8-8 season by the Steelers in 2006, Whisenhunt took a job as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, where he remained for the next six NFL seasons.

2. Todd Haley

Todd Haley was a coach that Steelers fans loved to hate. Whether it was yelling at Haley through their TV screen because of running too many screen passes or claiming he outthought himself in the playoffs, Haley didn't have the best reputation.

Part of this is knowing that Haley butted heads at times with Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin. While he may not have been the easiest OC to work with, Haley has the best track record on paper. The offense was never better than it was when Haley was the Steelers offensive coordinator.

After two average seasons, Haley's offense took a massive leap in 2014 -- finishing 7th in points and 2nd in yards. In 2015, Pittsburgh's offense was considered among the best in the league as they ranked 4th in points and 3rd in yards.

Having Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le'Veon Bell in the primes of their NFL careers certainly helps, but it's hard to take away from Haley when his team had a top-10 offense for four straight seasons from 2014 to 2017. Haley was fired from the team after a 2017 season in which his offense finished 8th in scoring and 3rd in yards.

1. Bruce Arians

Though Todd Haley's offenses yielded the best results on paper, Bruce Arians is the best offensive coordinator in franchise history thanks to the success he helped bring the team and how he revolutionized the game.

Following an 8-8 season with Ken Whisenhunt as OC, Arians took over in 2007, and the offense immediately saw a spark -- scoring 24.6 points per game (9th in the NFL). One year later, the Steelers were Super Bowl champions for the sixth time in franchise history.

In 2009 and 2010, Arians' offense scored over 23 points per game in each season. However, his ability to transform the passing game made him the perfect fit. Arians brought the air-raid offense that helped Ben Roethlisberger take the next step in his career.

After throwing 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions with Whisenhunt in 2006, Big Ben recorded a 32-touchdown, 11-interception season in his first year with Arians. This was accompanied by Pro Bowl honors in 2007.

Arians 'retired' after the 2012 season, but quickly changed his mind and accepted the head coaching job of the Colts in 2012. From there, he spent five years as the Cardinals' HC before winning a Super Bowl as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Arians' longevity, consistency, and Super Bowl resume with the Steelers make him the best OC in franchise history.

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

The 5 best offensive coordinators in Steelers history by points per game