Exclusive: Mike Tomlin On Todd Haley & More
PALM BEACH, Fla. (KDKA) -- There have been plenty of changes for the Steelers this off-season, perhaps most notably, the release and subsequent retirement of veteran wide receiver Hines Ward after 14 seasons with the franchise.
But before this was the firing of Bruce Arians and the appointment of former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley as the new offensive coordinator.
KDKA's Bob Popmeani caught up with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin at the NFL Owners Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., for an exclusive interview.
"I'll start by saying Art Rooney owns the football team so obviously he has the autonomy to do what he wants," Tomlin said. "But some of those reports that were reported regarding the changes are just quite simply untrue. I made the decision to make the change from an offensive coordinator standpoint. I made the decision to hire Todd Haley.
"It's an enjoyable process for me. I like the process of evaluating and building and that's what the acquisition of coaches is for me and players for that matter," Tomlin continued. "Todd's an impressive guy. I've enjoyed getting to know him on a personal level and working with him on a day-to-day basis. I'm really excited about where we're going."
Pompeani: "He seems to me as I said to you earlier, a tough love kind of guy. He also shows his emotions on the sidelines. You like those qualities?"
Tomlin: "No question. You know, that's part of this game. This is an emotional game played by emotional men and you know I think that's going to help us."
The Steelers expect Mike Wallace to help them again if he's here and for now, that's an "if." His motivational level should be extremely high because he'd be playing for a contract, but there is a chance Wallace could price himself out of Pittsburgh.
"Obviously we want Mike Wallace on our football team," Tomlin said. "He's a valued member of our football team. He's a quality young man and person. He's a good worker. This process is what it is. It's the business arm of it. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but as we sit right now, he's a part of us and we're looking forward to that."
Stay with KDKA for more of the exclusive interview with Mike Tomlin.
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