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Steelers’ assistant coach Dick Hoak retired, while two others can look elsewhere.
PITTSBURGH — Dick Hoak took handoffs from Bobby Layne, broke in Franco Harris as rookie assistant coach and went on to mentor Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker. Few other NFL assistants have seen or done as much.
Or won as much.
Hoak ended an unprecedented 45 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers by retiring Tuesday as running backs coach, completing the longest continuous tenure by an NFL assistant coach with any team.
The 67-year-old Hoak played a role in every title and playoff victory in the franchise’s 74-season history and was with them for 742 of their 1,057 all-time games.
“I beat the system,” said Hoak, an assistant for 35 seasons after spending 10 as a player. “Coaches are hired to be fired. I was hired but I was never fired.”
One reason for his longevity was that Hoak rejected jobs other coaches would have taken. He went from a high school sideline to the Steelers’ as the offensive backfield coach in 1972, turning down a job as a Pitt assistant. The Pitt staff was fired a year later.
Chuck Noll (23 seasons) and Bill Cowher (15 seasons) are the only head coaches the Steelers have had since 1969, and Hoak was involved in all but one of those seasons. He coached Wheeling (W.Va.) Central Catholic High in 1971, but was hired by Noll as offensive backfield coach a season later.
His resignation may coincide with Cowher’s, but Hoak suggested that didn’t enter into his decision.
Whisenhunt, Grimm to interview with other teams
Assistant head coach Russ Grimm and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt were given permission Tuesday to interview for NFL head coaching jobs.
Whisenhunt, apparently the top choice of the Oakland Raiders a season ago, will talk with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. Grimm will meet with the Cardinals.
The two would also be among the leading candidates to replace Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher if he resigns — one reason why Steelers ownership wants Cowher to quickly make a decision about his future.
Grimm was a finalist for the Chicago Bears’ job three years ago before Lovie Smith was hired.