SteelerFury Combined Forum

https://www.steelernation.com/2026/01/2 ... -difficult

Hmmm...wonder why Tomlin liked to keep his staff small?

Tomlin couldn't even get major coaching positions like OC and DC right. Why on earth are we even talking about size of staff. If you can't even get your fundamental core assistants right, then nothing else matters. Butler? Fichtner? Canada? I mean they can't even land high school jobs.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/476 ... hip-roster

That's the original report in question. It's all anonymous league sources. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise me if some are "friends" or connected to Tomlin and I can question the motives, but many of us have been aware that the rot is deeper than Mediocre Mike for a while anyway.

Honeslty the Steelers are like the Alabamans of the NFL at this point. They have an almost incestual internal situation with all the nepo hires. They barely even look outside the org to bring anyone in with fresh ideas over the last two decades and it shows like they're a product of repeated inbreeding.

And they're also poor as fuck or claim to be.

Tomlin was the highest paid coach in the league. I'm sure if he wanted more assistants or to give a couple of raises he could have taken a few million less.

Yes, this is another in a long line of exhaustive excuses for Mediocre Mike. And, again, if he had an issue with it no one was holding a gun to the head of a guy who'd "have a job in 5 minutes" to extend his contract.

It's hilarious that an owner spending $250M+ on player salaries and at least another $30M on coaches and office staff would put that investment at risk over not hiring a few extra coaches or a bit more competitive salaries.


How much money does a home playoff game bring in? What about if your team has 2+ playoff games? Poor Mediocre Mike - 19 years and he was saddled and weighted down by a cheap owner and bad scouting...

CKSteeler wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:37 pm

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/476 ... hip-roster

That's the original report in question. It's all anonymous league sources. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise me if some are "friends" or connected to Tomlin and I can question the motives, but many of us have been aware that the rot is deeper than Mediocre Mike for a while anyway.

in 2024, when we went looking for outside OC candidates, we requested interviews with a number of candidates, but only one was reasonably qualified (zach robinson), and he declined to even interview with us.

Possible people just don’t want to work with tomlin, also possible the things everyone has been saying for years are true.

Mick wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:50 pm

CKSteeler wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:37 pm

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/476 ... hip-roster

That's the original report in question. It's all anonymous league sources. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise me if some are "friends" or connected to Tomlin and I can question the motives, but many of us have been aware that the rot is deeper than Mediocre Mike for a while anyway.

in 2024, when we went looking for outside OC candidates, we requested interviews with a number of candidates, but only one was reasonably qualified (zach robinson), and he declined to even interview with us.

Possible people just don’t want to work with tomlin, also possible the things everyone has been saying for years are true.

He obviously wanted to interview with Bucs - he´s landed their OC job.

CONTROL.

In a salary cap league there are other ways to gain advantages with money - coaching staffs, support staffs, analytics, facilities, etc.

These are not the primary inputs for winning, but can make a difference on the margins over the course of a season and can play a big part of specific games.

Ex. the Steelers knew a long time ago that they were likely to play the Bills, Chargers or Titans in the wildcard round. Did they unleash a team of analysts to break down each of these teams in minute detail so that as soon as an opponent was determined the coaching staff had all the info they needed to build a game plan "and" some tricks up their sleeve for high leverage plays? I would assume not.

But these are types of things that money can buy and the Steelers won't pay for.

I've come to think that the Steelers perspective that "the playoffs are a crapshoot" is cope that they aren't willing or able to put in the time/money to build an advantage.

In this context McCarthey makes sense. He'd be happy to live within this environment where a Shula, who has been involved in a deeply competitive, resource rich program, may not be.

Mick wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:50 pm

CKSteeler wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:37 pm

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/476 ... hip-roster

That's the original report in question. It's all anonymous league sources. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise me if some are "friends" or connected to Tomlin and I can question the motives, but many of us have been aware that the rot is deeper than Mediocre Mike for a while anyway.

in 2024, when we went looking for outside OC candidates, we requested interviews with a number of candidates, but only one was reasonably qualified (zach robinson), and he declined to even interview with us.

Possible people just don’t want to work with tomlin, also possible the things everyone has been saying for years are true.

I think there was a primary reason top tier assistants didn't come here

Tomlin controlled both sides of the ball, and had final say on both the game plan and plays being called in. Recall Keith Butler explaining that he didn't have control over the game day defensive calls.
Everyone knew that Tomlin would curb their ability to run the scheme they wanted, and so they would be saddled with the reputation of the job being done on the field, without the actual ability to dictate what was being done on the field.
Essentially all of the accountability without the actual responsibility. That's the equivalent of putting someone on the deed to your house, without them being on the mortgage. It's a losing proposition

I’m still in amazement that he is gone

Was worried my kids would be reading my eulogy and he’d still be HC

Fuck him

Sounds to me like Tomlin got paid more by keeping staff salaries down

anpsteel wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 9:15 pm

Mick wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:50 pm

CKSteeler wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:37 pm

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/476 ... hip-roster

That's the original report in question. It's all anonymous league sources. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise me if some are "friends" or connected to Tomlin and I can question the motives, but many of us have been aware that the rot is deeper than Mediocre Mike for a while anyway.

in 2024, when we went looking for outside OC candidates, we requested interviews with a number of candidates, but only one was reasonably qualified (zach robinson), and he declined to even interview with us.

Possible people just don’t want to work with tomlin, also possible the things everyone has been saying for years are true.

I think there was a primary reason top tier assistants didn't come here

Tomlin controlled both sides of the ball, and had final say on both the game plan and plays being called in. Recall Keith Butler explaining that he didn't have control over the game day defensive calls.
Everyone knew that Tomlin would curb their ability to run the scheme they wanted, and so they would be saddled with the reputation of the job being done on the field, without the actual ability to dictate what was being done on the field.
Essentially all of the accountability without the actual responsibility. That's the equivalent of putting someone on the deed to your house, without them being on the mortgage. It's a losing proposition

I have said many times it was an intentional scheme
He played to Rooney cheapness and sold him that playoffs were a crapshoot and 9-8 was success … they could declare success and no one see the cheapness
Plus it all played into … smaller and zero power staffs there to do some work and take any blame
Vet players who played ball, said the same stupid shit and got along to get along …. Got paid, got privileges and until the failures become obvious and they asked for more money they avoided blame as well and got labeled Stars worthy of huge 2nd and 3rd contracts
It’s was a scheme to maintain longetivity and cash flow for the HC and a few players … it was embraced by a cheap owner who could hide behind NHALS.
No young quality coach in their right mind who wanted a long prosperous career would take an assistants job under Tomlin
Pickens knew it was a dead end game … DK knew it was a gravy train

I really would like to know what other offers Rodger’s got

Tomlin and Rooney enabled one another
McCarthy being hired means like Tomlin, Rooney is more concerned with refusing to acknowledge he is likely wrong
Wouldn’t it be a grand joke … if Tomlin was fired because Rooney believed he couldn’t execute the bullshit Plan well enough

Deebo wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:05 pm

https://www.steelernation.com/2026/01/2 ... -difficult

Hmmm...wonder why Tomlin liked to keep his staff small?

Size of staff has nothing to do with it.

There are 26 coaches on payroll. That means 11 players on the field have an individual coach and 11 players off the field have an individual coach. 4 more players on the sidelines have an individual coach as well.

I am sure this doesn’t count interns and hangers-on that work for free.

This doesn’t count trainers and medical staff which are part of coaching in my opinion.

If you need someone to specialize in booth review or analytics I find it hard to believe that they couldn’t shift some resource below to address the issue. All these people are being worked to death?

Curt Cignetti wins a National Championship at IU in 2 years? It is not the NFL but it is just as difficult and maybe more so.

It isn’t the size of the staff that is the problem it is the magic in the staff!

I bet there is a ton of bloat in this group…Now look at this organization below:

ADMINISTRATION
Arthur J. Rooney II
President
Arthur J. Rooney Jr.
Vice President
Diane Lowe
Administrative Assistant

COACHING STAFF
Teryl Austin
Defensive Coordinator
Arthur Smith
Offensive Coordinator
Danny Smith
Special Teams Coordinator
Gerald Alexander
Defensive Backs Coach
Tom Arth
Quarterbacks Coach
Zach Azzanni
Wide Receivers Coach
Karl Dunbar
Defensive Line Coach
Eddie Faulkner
Running Backs Coach
Denzel Martin
Outside Linebackers Coach
Scott McCurley
Inside Linebackers Coach
Pat Meyer
Offensive Line Coach
Alfredo Roberts
Tight Ends Coach
Matt Baker
Offensive Assistant
Mateo Kambui
Offensive Assistant
Anthony Midget
Assistant Secondary Coach
Isaac Williams
Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Jason Brooks
Defensive Quality Control Coach
Luke Smith
Quality Control Coach
Darrel Young
Director of Player Development
Phil Matusz
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Justus Galac
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Tyler Judkins
Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
Roderick Moore
Sports Science Coordinator/Strength and Conditioning
Garrett Giemont
Senior Conditioning Coordinator
Chrissy Bulger
Administrative Assistant

FOOTBALL OPERATIONS
Omar Khan
General Manager
Dan Rooney Jr.
Vice President of Player Personnel
Andy Weidl
Assistant General Manager
Sheldon White
Director of Pro Scouting
Quentin Harris
Senior Personnel Assistant
Mark Sadowski
Director of Player Scouting
Max Gruder
Assistant Director of Player Scouting
Dan Colbert
Director of College Scouting
Kelvin Fisher
Senior Scouting Assistant
Mark Bruener
College Scout
Chidi Iwuoma
College Scout
Chris Watts
College Scout
Zack Crockett
College Scout
Jarrod Highberger
College Scout
Jim Ward
College Scout
Jimmy Noel
College Scout
Dennis MacInnis
Pro Scout
Matt McCreight
BLESTO Scout
Casey Weidl
Scouting Coordinator
Cole Marcoux
Director of Football Administration
Aidan Hennessey-Niland
Team Operations Coordinator
Emma Alfieri
Football Operations Intern
Tosin Kazeem
Football Analytics Coordinator
Donovan Moore
Football Analyst
Maureen Mannion
Administrative Assistant
Anthony Rooney
Scouting Associate
Jake Clancy
Scouting Intern/Analytics
Keaton Hunt
Scouting Intern

COMMUNICATIONS
Burt Lauten
Senior Director of Communications
Michael Bertsch
Assistant Director of Communications
Angela Tegnelia
Communications Manager
MacKaiya Cherry
Communications Coordinator
Jordan Spagnolli
Communications Intern

FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT
Adam Regan
Equipment Manager
Patrick Noone
Field Manager/Assistant Equipment Manager
Kyle Powers
Equipment Assistant
Derek Rinehart
Equipment Assistant
Alex Kwong
Equipment Intern
Preston Hunt
Equipment Intern

FOOTBALL VIDEO AND FACILITIES
Todd Lewis
Video Logistics Coordinator
Kory Hartbauer
Video Operations Coordinator
Andy Lizanich
Video Services
Luke Norwig
Video Assistant
Joe Hasenstab
Video Intern

ATHLETIC TRAINING
Gabe Amponsah
Head Athletic Trainer
Sonia Ruef
Associate Athletic Trainer
Jon Andino
Associate Athletic Trainer/Rehabilitation Coordinator
Daveon Lee
Associate Athletic Trainer
Ramon Ramirez
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Sydney Martin
Athletic Training Intern

MEDICAL STAFF
Dr. James P. Bradley
Physician, Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Jeanne Doperak
Physician, Primary Care Sports Medicine
Dr. Aaron Mares
Physician, Primary Care Sports Medicine
Dr. Craig Mauro
Physician, Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. David Okonkwo
Physician, Neurosurgery
Kayla Martin
Nutritionist/Dietician
Brad Kluber
Chiropractor

BUSINESS OFFICE
David Morehouse
Executive Vice President for Strategy
Doug Stuver
Vice President of Finance
Jodie Spagnolli
Controller
Jenny Shaeffer
Director of Human Resources
Matthew Wilson
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Crystal Joyce
Senior Project Manager
Klavin Boyd
Accounting Manager
Caroline DeFrank
Senior Accountant
Mary Beth Gilbert
Senior Accountant
Kelly Serafin
Payroll/Benefits Coordinator
Jody Lubawski
Stadium Controller
Barbara Snyder
Stadium Payroll Coordinator
Alice Cherry
Accounts Payable Specialist
Colleen Kimmel
Accounts Payable Specialist
Nicole Mascaro
Administrative Assistant
Max Sharp
Business-Finance Intern
Shaw Sunder
Receptionist
Joyce Sansky
Receptionist
Jerry Langan
Stationary Engineer
Patrick MacIntyre
Security Supervisor

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Scott Phelps
Vice President of Technology
Jon Pugliano
Director of Technology Systems
Craig Pelat
Director of Network and Security Operations
Greg DiFiore
Information Security Manager
Josh Mackey
Systems Engineer
Eric Corrado
Applications Developer
Scott Graham
User Experience Developer
Andrew Searight
Network Support Technician
Johnathan Dziubek
Help Desk Technician

COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Blayre Holmes Davis
Senior Director of Community Relations
Myah Olson
Community Relations Coordinator
Ella Rottinghaus
Community Relations Intern

MARKETING AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Ryan Huzjak
Senior Vice President of Business Operations
Dan Rooney
Vice President of Business Development & Strategy
Bella Petrone
Sales and Marketing Coordinator

BUSINESS ANALYTICS
Melanie Harris
Senior Director of Business Analytics
Bill Adler
Manager Database Marketing Analytics
Jared Kramer
Data Analyst
Brandon Wu
Data Analyst
Zack Palfey
Digital Analyst
Florence McComas
Digital Analytics Associate
Ben Jennings
Business Analytics Associate
Hannah Valenty
International Analytics Associate

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ACTIVATION
A.J. Poole
Director of Corporate Partnerships & Activation
Chris Hart
Corporate Partnerships Manager
Kurt Gingrich
Corporate Partnerships Manager
Lesley Nadler
Corporate Partnerships Manager
Tim Post
Corporate Partnerships Manager
Amy Siebenkittel
Assistant Director of Partnership Activation
Rachel Cohen
Partnership Activation Manager
Morgan Eakin
Partnership Activation Manager
Peter Obletz
Partnership Activation Manager
Kate Imfeld
Partnership Activation Manager
Marie Zeitler
Partnership Activation Manager
Jonah Wheeler
Corporate Partnerships Account Executive
Amy Regan
Partnership Administrator
Taylor Sullivan
Partnership Activation Coordinator
Matt Graham
Corporate Partnerships Associate

TICKET OPERATIONS
Ben Lentz
Director of Ticket Operations
Michael Karczewski
Ticket Operations Manager
Mark Davidson
Ticket Operations Manager
Max Jacinto
Ticket Operations Coordinator

TICKET SALES AND RETENTION
Kristen Lewandowski
Director of Ticket Sales and Retention
Cole Horan
Senior Manager, Premium and Hospitality
Stephanie Sior
Senior Manager, Ticket Sales and Retention
Jared Mero
Ticket Sales & Retention Account Executive
Alexa Sorch
Senior Account Executive, Ticket Sales and Retention
Erik Stouter
Ticket Sales & Retention Account Executive
Allen Farabaugh
Ticket Sales and Retention Associate
Alexis Jones-Sawyer
Ticket Sales and Retention Associate
MARKETING AND EVENTS
Justin Mitchell
Director of Marketing
Mike Murphy
Senior Manager of Creative Services
Brittany Zeman
Senior Manager of Campaign Marketing
Amber Seavy
Marketing Campaign Manager
Brandon Artman
Marketing Event Manager
Nicole Bauer
Growth & Audience Marketing Manager
Payton Comunale
Marketing Campaign Coordinator
Caitlyn Cossu
Marketing Event Coordinator
SJ Hyman
Performance Marketing Coordinator
Jordyn Kane
Relationship Marketing Coordinator
Adam Petras
Senior Designer
Keaton Engle
Campaign Marketing Specialist
Hunter Miller
Event Marketing Specialist
Christian Plonski
Direct Marketing Specialist
Elias Bowles
Graphic Design Associate
Grace Kolich
Fan and Development Associate
Anna Milyak
Marketing Events Associate

ALUMNI RELATIONS AND FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT
Mike Marchinsky
Senior Manager of Alumni Relations and Youth Football
Kevin Ackerman
Football Development Coordinator
Ryan Shazier
Alumni Relations Assistant
Jeremiah Brosovic
Alumni and Youth Football Associate

DIGITAL, BROADCAST AND GAMEDAY CONTENT
Reagan Berube
Sr Director, Content and International Development
Jeff Brown
Senior Manager, Digital Media
Kyle Kron
Senior Manager, Digital & Social Content
Christopher Burns
Executive Producer, Live Stadium Events
Nathan Hogan
Executive Producer, Video Production
Kyle Toot
Sr Manager, Video Editor/Producer
Stephen Finerty
Video Production Manager
Jason Pischke
Manager, Production & Motion Graphics
Karl Roser
Senior Manager of Photography
Emile Khoury
Senior Manager, Creative Content
Alec Balenciaga
Sr. Producer, Features and Video Content
Matthew DeVito
Video Editor/Producer
Bob Labriola
Editor Steelers Digest/Contributor Steelers.com
Teresa Varley
Assistant Editor Steelers Digest/Contributor Steelers.com
Jourdan Gottlieb
Social Media Manager
James Dotter
Social Media Coordinator
Isabella Fernandez
International Content Coordinator
Matt Komaroski
Digital/Social Content Coordinator
Creg Milko
Social Media Creative Content Coordinator
Isabella Gorisek
Video Producer, Branded Content
Alexis Davis
Digital Media Associate
Taylor Hajtol
Digital Media/App Development Associate
Leah Hogle
Video Production Associate
Greg Johnson
International Content Associate
Gabbie Nellis
Video Production Associate
Alysa Rubin
Digital Media Archivist

STADIUM OPERATIONS
Jim Sacco
Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations & Management
Rob Thompson
Director of Stadium Event Operations
Bob Jones
Director of Stadium & Facilities Security
Joe Simon
Director of Facility Operations
John Fleck
Assistant Director Facility Operations
Will Herring
Director of Suite Sales & Retention
Travis Baker
Director of Guest Experiences
Cecelia Cagni
Director of Corporate Communications
Greg Hoyer
Senior Manager, Stadium Event Operations
Tom Goyne
Sports Turf Operations Manager
Justin Hunt
Audio/Visual Manager
Matt Mittelman
Audio/Visual Technician
Cayce Little Pastoor
Director of Club Events & Operations
Elizabeth Green
Club Events Manager
Tricia Panos
Club Events Manager
Aaron Getman
Logistics & Operations Manager
Matt Curry
Stadium Events Production Manager
Mandy Golec
Senior Manager of Luxury Suites
Erika Siegel
Senior Manager, Guest Experience
Julie Zeravica
Hall of Honor Museum Manager
Cooper Gulley
Sports Turf and Grounds Lead Assistant
Ryan Welker
Sports Turf and Grounds Lead Assistant
Austin Fetzer
Sports Turf and Grounds Assistant
John Fox
Sports Turf and Grounds Assistant
John Wodarek
Event Operations
Zach Fernandez
Event Operations Manager
Donovan Breeding
Facility Operations Intern
Heidi Edwards
Project Coordinator
Chase Jones
Stadium Security Intern
Taylor Luneborg
Stadium Suites Intern
Yasin Mohammad
Club Events Intern
Matt Scott
Facility Operations Manager
Tim Marra
Event Operations Intern
Jack Vick
Guest Services Intern
Jessi Sabatini
Administrative Assistant
Constance Zelinsky
Administrative Assistant
Cookie Carter
Receptionist
Jason Maciupa
Carpenter
Jeff Miller
Carpenter
Dave Bergamasco
Electrician
Ron Moye
Electrician
Mike Vitanza
Electrician
Denny Buchleitner
HVAC Technician
Rick Taylor
HVAC Technician
Mark Hall
Maintenance
Tom Melcher
Maintenance
Hunter Sloan
Maintenance
Chuck Beatty
Plumber

MERCHANDISING AND DIGITAL COMMERCE
John Wolfe
Vice President of Merchandising & Digital Commerce
Robb Gedrys
Director of Stadium & Store Merchandise Operations
Megan Stepnoski
Merchandise Manager of Apparel & Footwear
Lexie Rains
Assistant Merchandise Manager – Apparel & Footwear
Luke Robson
Assistant Merchandise Manager - Hardlines
Brian Rogiero
Merchandise Manager of Memorabilia & Hardlines
Dean Dellamalva
Assistant Memorabilia Manager
Stephanie Beck
Director of Digital Commerce
Quintin Lovicks
Lead Web Developer
Mark Cancilla
Digital Commerce Graphic Design Coordinator
Patric Quirion
Digital Commerce Graphic Design Specialist
Lucy Baker
Digital Commerce Product Specialist
Bryant Bauer
Digital Commerce Marketing Specialist
Jim Moon
Warehouse, Jersey and Headwear Merchandise Manager
Steve Klacik
Warehouse Manager
George Beck
Assistant Warehouse Manager
Stephen Francica
Assistant Warehouse Manager
Renae McNabb
Administration Assistant for Merchandise Operations
Lauren Fisher
Administrative Assistant for Merchandise Operations

STORE - GROVE CITY PREMIUM OUTLETS
Susan Kalafut
Store Manager
Justin Manny
Assistant Store Manager

STORE - STADIUM
Corey Flannagan
Store Manager
Debbi Gabler
Senior Assistant Store Manager
Maria Jenesky
Assistant Store Manager
Linda Rogiero
Inventory Warehouse Manager

STORE - TANGER OUTLETS
Courtney Duzyk
Store Manager
Lee Bongiorni
Assistant Store Manager

Gonzo wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 1:17 am

Sounds to me like Tomlin got paid more by keeping staff salaries down

Ding ding ding

I also remember on the analytics guy they were late to the game. Hired one for maybe a few years, and then I think that job was "consolidated" into a QC role. Tomlin said a couple of times he doesn't trust analytics....too many variables and the game is too fluid, which is how he justified lazily relying on his "gut".

I don't know if it all was true, but I remember some absurd stories about Belicheat doing things like scouting the angle of the sun. That seems like extreme overkill and waste of resources and time.

But when this was discussed last time, I remember seeing that PIT had just 2-3 less assistants than the average team. 19 or 20 vs 22 doesn't seem like a huge difference maker, especially when those assistants are like 3rd level "assistants to assistants assisting the assistant".

Besides, how many coaches do you need to run simple, risk-averse schemes?

holy shit- i've never looked at the complete list of coaching, front office and associated personnel.

dear baby jesus they have a shit ton of people - I'm struggling to comprehend how you would need that many people and what they could possibly do.

Coaching- fine

Scouting and player development- fine

But all of the other, Assistant to the assistant, traveling secretary, sr jerkoff back scrubber positions ... holy hell what a scam

I think there's a multitude of reasons people didn't come here and work for Tomlin besides pay. It's a factor as money obviously talks, but an ambitious young coach just had no reason to come here on either side of the ball for obvious reasons that have been discussed time and time again.

Just having experience in leadership positions of any kind I definitely lean more towards Tomlin that a bit less can be more here. There's a point where managing 25 coaches or guys on your staff dilutes your message and just becomes too much. I mean, I'm no expert on NFL staffs by any means. Having analytics guys and people with potentially confined roles like that is one thing. Having 3 guys to coach your DB's can easily be a situation where there are too many cook's in the kitchen and increase general confusion.

I've seen little correlation between the number of coaches and on field success regardless.

Deebo wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:05 pm

https://www.steelernation.com/2026/01/2 ... -difficult

Hmmm...wonder why Tomlin liked to keep his staff small?

Well, then there's this article:

https://www.steelernation.com/2026/01/2 ... emely-soon

"I think you have to give this guy all the ammunition he needs to get the program going in the direction he wants it to go," Fittipaldo said. "But I will point this out, guys. When Mike Munchak was on the staff, he was paid very well. They have paid other guys very well over the years to be coordinators. When there's a guy out there that Mike [Tomlin] wanted in the past, they found a way to make it happen. Yeah, this coaching staff isn't as big as the others, but I think if the new coach wants something like that, I don't think Art [Rooney II] would say no there, I think he would let him build his coaching staff how he wishes."

When he was dismissive about adding an analytics guy or a clock/TO management guy was all I needed to know.

meh. Analytics is pretty retarded.
I have seen more coaches do dumb things chasing points they don't need that early because Analytics says so. Because they are too stupid to execute elementary math and incapable of estimating basic odds.

How can people not understand that?

Behind at halftime by a couple scores and start chasing 2 pt conversions with tons of time on the board then end up short needing an additional score. When if you had just kicked the fucking extra point you would have been tied earlier.

Analytics also doesn't take into account what has been going on the entire game. The flow of the game.

Andy Reid against Houston 2 weeks ago. He goes full retard in a tie game. The Houston offense isn't doing anything, actually no one is and its a 3-3 tie. So he decides to go for it on 4th down and fails giving Houston the ball basically in FG position. All he had to do was punt in a game where points had been scarce for most of the game.

Fuck Analytics.

There are enough things that Tomlin was an idiot about. Analytics isn't one of them.

StillMadAtSlobber wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 9:09 pm

Analytics also doesn't take into account what has been going on the entire game. The flow of the game.

I can't speak to the specific analytics that coaches use, but generally speaking, yes, analytics most certainly can take into account what has been "going on the entire game".

And that's before we even start talking about Machine Learning/AI can do.

Don't confuse "using analytics" with "using analytics poorly".

I don't think analytics should be the end-all-be-all for coaching decisions (at least not yet), but a modern coach would be extremely foolish to not use them as a reference point in their decision making process.

StillMadAtSlobber wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 9:09 pm

meh. Analytics is pretty retarded.

No, analytics are just data. Retards sometimes misunderstand them, however.

The related concept most people fail is what's known as "gambler's ruin". Which is, basically, you bet all day every day on a 60% chance. The problem is you can run out of money before "realizing" that advantage. Black Jack is nearly 50/50, but you most certainly can (and will) lose 10 hands in a row at some point (and it's not uncommon).

anpsteel wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 5:34 pm

holy shit- i've never looked at the complete list of coaching, front office and associated personnel.

dear baby jesus they have a shit ton of people - I'm struggling to comprehend how you would need that many people and what they could possibly do.

Coaching- fine

Scouting and player development- fine

But all of the other, Assistant to the assistant, traveling secretary, sr jerkoff back scrubber positions ... holy hell what a scam

Dear Baby Jesus is right. I posted it and just scrolled through it today and just now realized how long it was.

The guy at the top is simply a conductor of an orchestra. Get everyone singularly focused on the ring. The head coach has an army of people to help get that ring and is conductor 1B. Delegate delegate delegate and keep getting fresh blood and new ideas, and upgrade the IQ of the Org any chance you get; the opposite of what Tomlin seemed to be doing.

There is really know excuse whatsoever….I bet there is a ton of fluff to make any people moves you deem necessary as long as you can make a coherent middling argument for a replay guy or an analytics team as examples.

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 9:45 pm

StillMadAtSlobber wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 9:09 pm

meh. Analytics is pretty retarded.

No, analytics are just data. Retards sometimes misunderstand them, however.

The related concept most people fail is what's known as "gambler's ruin". Which is, basically, you bet all day every day on a 60% chance. The problem is you can run out of money before "realizing" that advantage. Black Jack is nearly 50/50, but you most certainly can (and will) lose 10 hands in a row at some point (and it's not uncommon).

This exact scenario was illustrated very well on Landman, 2 episodes ago with the wife betting on the roulette wheel. Just kept betting black and kept raising the bet until reds turned to blacks and kept upping the bets on the losses and the wins. She had $100K and a lavish lifestyle to make the multi rack bets feel like $1 bets in her mind.

Most sane people never bet like this even if they can afford it. It was a neat scene and they were clearly illustrating exactly your point and additionally illustrating the huge risks and gambles that occur with oil fields!

anpsteel wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 5:34 pm

holy shit- i've never looked at the complete list of coaching, front office and associated personnel.

dear baby jesus they have a shit ton of people - I'm struggling to comprehend how you would need that many people and what they could possibly do.

Coaching- fine

Scouting and player development- fine

But all of the other, Assistant to the assistant, traveling secretary, sr jerkoff back scrubber positions ... holy hell what a scam

Looks like a lot of no show jobs and favors

Louis Lipps Service wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 9:18 pm

StillMadAtSlobber wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 9:09 pm

Analytics also doesn't take into account what has been going on the entire game. The flow of the game.

I can't speak to the specific analytics that coaches use, but generally speaking, yes, analytics most certainly can take into account what has been "going on the entire game".

And that's before we even start talking about Machine Learning/AI can do.

Don't confuse "using analytics" with "using analytics poorly".

I don't think analytics should be the end-all-be-all for coaching decisions (at least not yet), but a modern coach would be extremely foolish to not use them as a reference point in their decision making process.

Yup.

Data and trends as a tool.

Versus Mr. Coaching from the Gut.

I'd rather incorporate the former, thanks.

LakecrestSteeler wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 11:49 pm

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 9:45 pm

StillMadAtSlobber wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 23, 2026 9:09 pm

meh. Analytics is pretty retarded.

No, analytics are just data. Retards sometimes misunderstand them, however.

The related concept most people fail is what's known as "gambler's ruin". Which is, basically, you bet all day every day on a 60% chance. The problem is you can run out of money before "realizing" that advantage. Black Jack is nearly 50/50, but you most certainly can (and will) lose 10 hands in a row at some point (and it's not uncommon).

This exact scenario was illustrated very well on Landman, 2 episodes ago with the wife betting on the roulette wheel. Just kept betting black and kept raising the bet until reds turned to blacks and kept upping the bets on the losses and the wins. She had $100K and a lavish lifestyle to make the multi rack bets feel like $1 bets in her mind.

Most sane people never bet like this even if they can afford it. It was a neat scene and they were clearly illustrating exactly your point and additionally illustrating the huge risks and gambles that occur with oil fields!

That’s why the green numbers exist. (0,00)

That’s the casino’s guaranty

How about something like this.

https://youtu.be/x_KWBldxNn8?si=8JrTAfXXprxIQ9zu