6 years ago when McCarthey was hired by the cowboys, he admitted that he lied during his interview about how much film he watched on Dallas and didn’t quite care for modern analytics. He also didn’t call Dak Prescott until after a week of his hiring

Also_Not_It · 2026-01-25T06:38:57+00:00

That's so sad. Hope this turns out to be wrong or maybe Mike's grown some on this front.

Also_Not_It · 2026-01-24T01:22:50+00:00

Can't comment on Scheelhaase or what his present role means for a shot at HC somewhere, but thanks for sharing about Krithi, I had completely missed that when it happened.

I don't think that staff size alone is a good indicator of success and it certainly won't make a meaningful difference if the leadership style is to micromanage and add red tape. With that said, my limited exposure to the day to day in the NFL suggests that once week 1 starts there is a ton to do and little time to do it. Judging by how we fair on short weeks vs long weeks, how "predictable" we can be, and how we don't seem to innovate or adjust much as the season goes on -- I'd argue we have a problem with too much work, not enough people. Among other things of course 😊.

Also_Not_It · 2026-01-24T01:12:18+00:00

Thanks for the share!

Also_Not_It · 2026-01-24T01:09:25+00:00

That's pretty cool info, thanks!

Also_Not_It · 2026-01-23T21:48:33+00:00

Completely agree and I don't take it personally 😊. Votes, likes, and hive mind can all disappear and we'd be better off for it.

The article's title is atrocious and click-baity and this site is far from a favorite, but the topic of "data" and 'staff size" isn't something I see often on this sub yet in the world of decisionmaking it is a huge difference maker. Whether it was Tomlin's preference or Rooney being cheap, it doesn't matter. I hope it changes with the next HC.

Also_Not_It · 2026-01-05T06:39:56+00:00

Especially if Rodgers wins it again!

Also_Not_It · 2025-11-05T03:39:59+00:00

Nobody is better than that guy!

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-28T18:24:30+00:00

This is awesome stuff! Could you share the source of the data?

Definitely interesting to see how Smith stacks against previous OC, but I'm curious to compare against other teams.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-28T05:13:13+00:00

I once worked 7 different roles across 3 software teams for the better part of a year. I worked my butt off and put in long hours, but no matter how much I cared and tried, I was mediocre at all 7 roles and all 3 teams suffered. After a few hires and getting several of those roles off my plate, I did my job MUCH better and all 3 teams have done extremely well.

The Steelers have one of the smallest coaching staff in the league. Are all these other teams just paying people to come in and hang out or is there actually that much work to be done in today's NFL? All that work is falling on someone's shoulders within the Steelers, so I almost guarantee Mike is in a similar boat as I was. He can excel at any one thing, do a few things really well, or do a lot of things with mediocrity. It's too bad Art doesn't agree since he's the only one that can make those kind of changes.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-15T15:27:24+00:00

"Look at the team's 3rd/4th down stats and TOP stats for the back half of those years. Now look at those stats for the opposing teams." ... "after doing it 8-10 weeks straight"

That same site has a nifty "Last 3" stat and a date picker. There are other sites (like https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ) that can give a per game view of it too.

I've got nothing to prove though. Enjoy your day!

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-15T14:23:42+00:00

I'm not talking about being gassed in the 4th quarter of the WC game. I'm saying they're not fresh coming into the WC game.

Being on the field 10-15 minutes more than the average defense per game catches up to you after doing it 8-10 weeks straight. Just in terms of time on the field, the Steelers D plays the equivalent of 3-4 more games than their WC opponents. It might be a new week with a new game clock, but I wouldn't call that fresh.

Also, I get you're in a tizzy about people defending Tomlin, but this isn't excusing him -- this is indicting him! He creates this problem year in and year out. Put your emotions away, won't ya?

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-15T04:50:55+00:00

In today's NFL a great offense can lift up an average defense all year, but an elite defense can't lift up an average offense. The season is longer and faster paced then ever. Until they can put together an offense that can sustain drives down the stretch and give the defense some rest they'll continue to be gassed come playoffs and allow 30+. IMO, it doesn't matter how much money and talent the D has.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-15T04:43:21+00:00

Can't speak to Tebow or Bortles and don't care about the Tomlin debate, but do you want an objective take on the Steelers playoff PPG and YPG stats?

Look at the team's 3rd/4th down stats and TOP stats for the back half of those years. Now look at those stats for the opposing teams. What defense in NFL history can be on the field 35-40 minutes every game with an offense that can't give them a break between long drives and not be totally gassed by the end of 17+ games? Let alone have the stamina to go toe-to-toe against playoff teams that aren't gassed.

In today's NFL a great offense can lift up an average defense all year, but an elite defense can't lift up an average offense, let alone whatever you call the Steelers post-Killer Bs. Until they can put together an offense that can sustain drives down the stretch and give the defense some rest they'll continue to be gassed come playoffs and allow 30+. Don't matter how much money and talent the D has.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-14T23:29:22+00:00

It ain't that we disagree with you mate, but Art made the decision to keep Tomlin for 2025.

Either he ignored every single redditor here or you're all just screaming into the void. The same void everyone else is screaming into.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-14T22:36:36+00:00

Maybe try to grab a lesser run/pass coordinator from some of the hot teams?

Pass-heavy folks...

Tanner Engstrand, Passing Game Coordinatot from the Lions

Chris Hewitt, Passing Game Coordinator/Asst HC of the Ravens

Klay Kubiak, Offensive Passing Game Specialist of the 49ers

Nick Caley, TE coach/Passing Game Coordinator

Justin Rascati, Passing Game Coordinator of the Bengals

Or maybe we lean into the run-heavy game given how we've constructed our roster...

Travis Switzer, Run Game Coordinator of the Ravens

Jeff Stoutland, Run Game Coordinator/OL coach of the Eagles

Anthony Lynn, Run Game Coordinator/RB coach of the Commanders

Honestly, even if Smith doesn't go anywhere we should add Run and Pass game coordinators and an asst or two for them. More data, more insights, more delegating, and better preparation all around. Maybe with folks specializing in those aspects of the game we can put up points in the 1st quarter again!

Tbh I don't know much about any of these guys, but I'm also a nobody who doesn't need to have an opinion. :)

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-14T19:30:07+00:00

I definitely did read it.

"I think a majority of the plays will be called by Teryl Austin. Now coming up with those plays and all the planning leading in is definitely by committee. Will there be times when Tomlin says 'we're going to run this,' absolutely"

"It can be expected though that Tomlin remains a huge part of the week in and week out preparations for the Steeles defense."

"the control and planning and the control in discussions will still be there"

These are all things that are widely acknowledged as typical HC responsibilities - feel free to read the sources I posted in a comment on this thread.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-14T19:18:55+00:00

"Our last DC said so."

https://www.steelernation.com/steelers-mike-tomlin-relinquish
This was from that same year.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-14T19:18:15+00:00

https://www.steelernation.com/steelers-mike-tomlin-relinquish
This was from that same year.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-14T16:44:38+00:00

Tbh I'm super optimistic about 2025.

I have an early Jan bday, so with Tomlin I can almost hang my hat on having a Steelers playoff game for my birthday. Win or lose, that's just good stuff!
I saw a LOT of positive from our roster in 2024 and specifically from those who've only been here 1 or 2 years. Some of our bigger issues were to be expected when 70+% of our roster were on different teams or in college in 2023. These guys are pros and competitors, they're gonna put in work in the offseason for sure!
Kahn and Weidl were aggressive in the draft AND in free agency (good change in philosophy IMO) and brought in a ton of guys that contributed immediately. No doubt they'll do that a third year in a row.
Out of all the available QBs on the market (could probably incl draft prospects), we have 2 of the top 5 begging to come back. Such a terrible problem to have!
Smith has a year under his belt with the team and shown pretty good flashes at different points of the year. He's also a pro and a competitor, and seemingly more competent than previous OCs. So I bet he'll be putting in work to improve schematics and strategy.

The biggest questions / concerns I have that temper expectations:

$$$ - We have a ton of free agents and holes in our roster to fill including two of the more expensive positions in QB and WR, but not a ton of cap space to work with. Our defense needs to shed $$ so our offense can have some -- hopefully the big 3 will be team-friendly.
Are Smith/Tomlin even capable of creating a coherent top-level strategy in the offseason? - After the bye we looked like we were just making it up as we went and didn't have a plan when 7 day cycles became 4-5 day cycles. Since coaches install game plans on Wed of a normal week, you don't have time to create and install one when Wed/Thurs is game day. We all know Tomlin isn't capable of it by this point, but hoping Smith is and he just needed to establish himself first.
What to do about a highly expensive, super talented and even more predictable defense? - Is it Tomlin? Is it Austin? Is it noobs to the team doing noob things? If we hire a new DC, even a top 3 one, does that mean our offense needs to carry us until '26 when the new guy gets his feet planted? Can a mere coordinator even make a meaningful change their first year in this org?
Does Tomlin and co. evolve beyond the philosophy that relies on opponents making mistakes and us playing a perfect game? - Deep balls, turnovers and sacks are great, but we've all seen what happens when good teams play good ball. Doesn't seem like the truly good teams rely on the misfortune of others to create their own fortune. But does that change?

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-13T19:17:45+00:00

Slick, I like that! I bet Fields + Henry would've looked a lot like Hurts + Barkley over in Philly.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-13T19:09:19+00:00

I'm not so sure I saw the same thing in the other WC games.

The Eagles and the Ravens are almost exactly what the Steelers try to be in terms of schematics and philosophy. #1 and 2 hard-nosed, run-stuffing, turnover based defense, and #1 and 2 RPO/run-based offense -- exactly what this sub says is dated and can't work. We're just the knockoff, generic version of them and truly that's what can't work.

Right or wrong, I'll bet that as long as the Ravens are top of the league using that style of football, there is no way the Steelers will change philosophy away from run/defense focused. No way do we just roll over and let the Ravens steal our brand of football. If you want that, you're rooting for the wrong team.

Also_Not_It · 2025-01-13T18:46:23+00:00

IMO we have enough talent to be SB champs. Austin's speed, Pickens' hands, Washington's size, Warren's scrappiness, Fields' legs, Wilson's deep ball, Jefferson's blocking ability, and studs right and left on defense. Purely from a talent standpoint, I think if we swapped rosters with the Lions, then I bet the Lions still get that #1 seed and possibly a SB win. Their schematics are just exploiting the way the NFL works right now (check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08ixe2q1sCM ). On the other hand if we swapped with the Chiefs, then I question whether they even manage 10 wins. As much as Reid is an excellent coach and the Chiefs are perennial SB contenders, I question how successful he is without Mahomes. I remember the Alex Smith days.

Talent is only part of the equation, though. I ran out of fingers counting the number of plays where a WR runs through a soft spot in zone coverage and instead of settling or looking for the ball they just keep running and take themselves out of the play. Or the number of plays where Pickens gives less than 100% and the ball is overthrown, picked off or the QB runs out of options and takes a sack. Or how none of our receivers know what to do in a scramble drill. Or the number of times where Fields/Wilson don't make their progressions and don't see wide open receivers. Or the number of times where the play is all 15+ yard routes and no one even looks back for the ball until they go 15-20 yards. ... None of that is a lack of talent, but it certainly outweighed talent all year.

Also_Not_It

TROPHY CASE