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EXCLUSIVE: Todd Haley On The Ups And Downs Of Being Offensive Coordinator

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Steelers Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley has been one of the most polarizing figures on the team this year, so when Bob Pompeani had a chance to sit down with Haley for a rare one on one interview, he had lots of questions to ask.

Haley admitted, being the one who calls the plays often makes him a lightning rod for fans when the calls fail. But he tries to stay focused on the job.

"I've called plays in Super Bowls and big playoff games. I have great confidence. I don't have a lot of regret about calls made but ultimately it's about how the player executed the plays called."

When his players are executing, no one criticizes the offensive coordinator, like when the offense produced 12 touchdowns and 862 yards against the Colts and Ravens. But a mere week before that, fans were calling for Haley to be fired.

"I do my best not to hear it, first of all," Haley told Bob. "I know from friends, they text me and say, 'hey don't listen to those people and what they are saying.' I'm like, why do you even text me, I don't know what they're saying. But it comes with the territory."

He also tries to protect his family from the roller coaster of the team's ups and downs.

"My wife is tough and she's been through a lot with me. The kids you worry about the most but we are always trying to feel them out. My girls, who are on social media try to keep me up to date which is funny and I'm trying to tell them stay off the social media. It's not good for you," joked Haley.

Bob asked Haley how thick a skin he's developed being the focus of so much criticism. "It's like a Kevlar turtle shell. It's got to be because if it wasn't, I probably wouldn't be where I am now," said Haley.

Despite the controversy Haley says it's a dream come true to be back coaching in the town where he grew up and the place where his father Dick Haley ran the Steelers personnel department for two decades, overseeing the rosters of four Super Bowl Teams.

"I love it. I was gone for almost 30 years, loved growing up here. stayed a Penguins fan, stayed a Pirates fan. Obviously, couldn't stay a Steeler fan when I was working for other teams." Knowing the city, Haley says he knew what to expect from Steelers fans and the Rooney family. "I knew, coming in, expectations were high but what more could you ask for. I've been at places where expectations aren't high enough."

And while there have been ups and downs in his relationship with his star player, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Haley says the two are in "a good place" right now.

"In our case, with a quarterback and coordinator it's put under a lot of heat and so what I'm proud of, he and I, is that we haven't allowed the outside world to divide us."

And while Haley wouldn't rule out pursuing a head coaching job at some point, he says he's happy right where he is for now. "I enjoy watching Mike going in and having to do his presser every week and some of those things come with the territory. But I'm having a lot of fun. I love the players and the organization itself. We got a chance to do great things."

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