The man who apparently couldn’t get along with G.M. Scott Pioli will now be charged with getting on the same page with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers have announced that former Chiefs coach Todd Haley has joined the franchise as offensive coordinator. His father, Dick, played for the team and worked in the front office. Todd Haley previously worked for the Steelers as a ball boy.
“I am excited about the opportunity to come back home and work for a tremendous organization,” Haley said in a team-issued release. “It is an honor to work with the Rooney family and Coach Tomlin and continue the success that has become synonymous with the Steelers. My father has so many fond memories both from his playing days and his time in the personnel department with the team, and I look forward to helping bring more championships to Pittsburgh and to being a part of one of the storied franchises in the NFL.”
The Steelers’ most recent championship came at Haley’s expense; he was the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator in Super Bowl XLIII. After that game, Haley was hired by the Chiefs.
Since being fired during the season, Haley had been considered for employment with the Jets and Cardinals. The vacancy in Pittsburgh arose after the Steelers fired offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, despite clumsily claiming that he had retired.
The success or failure of the move will hinge in large part on the ability of Haley and Roethlisberger to work together. Otherwise, the Steelers could be clumsily claiming before too long that Haley is retiring, too.