Bruce
Arians
begins his second season as offensive coordinator under new head coach Mike
Tomlin, following three seasons as the Steelers wide receivers coach. It marks
the fourth time he is serving as an offensive coordinator in his coaching
career, including one previous time in the NFL and twice at the collegiate
ranks.
Arians,
named to the Steelers’ coaching staff on Jan. 24, 2004, has over 31 years of
coaching experience, including 15 years in the NFL.
Arians,
55, helped All-Pro wide receiver Hines Ward become one of the best wideouts in
the NFL over the past four seasons. During Arians’ first four seasons with
Pittsburgh, Ward has been to the Pro Bowl twice and was named Super Bowl XL MVP
after finishing with 123 receiving yards and one touchdown. Ward also became the
Steelers’ all-time receptions leader, surpassing Hall-of-Famer John Stallworth,
and in 2007 became the team’s career leader in receiving
yards.
Arians
also guided the Steelers to one of its most productive offensive years in the
team’s history. In his first year as offensive coordinator in 2007, Arians
helped quarterback Ben Roethlisberger get elected to his first Pro Bowl, as he
broke Terry Bradshaw’s long standing record for most TD passes in a season with
32. Roethlisberger also finished with a career-best and team-record QB rating of
104.1.
Prior
to the Steelers, Arians spent three seasons (2001-2003) as the offensive
coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. In 2002 under Arians’ guidance, the Browns
scored their most points since the 1987 season and also improved in virtually
every major offensive category from the three years prior to his
arrival.
Arians
was instrumental in the development of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton
Manning, while serving as the Colts’ quarterback coach for three years
(1998-2000). Under Arians’ tutelage, Manning totaled 4,413 yards and 33
touchdowns in 2000 to break his own club season record. His 33 touchdown passes
in 2000 established a Colts’ franchise record previously held by John
Unitas.
He
began his coaching career in 1975 as a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech. A
1974 Hokie graduate, Arians played quarterback and was voted the team’s most
valuable player as a senior.
Arians
then held an assistant coaching position at Mississippi State (running backs and
wide receivers) from 1978-80 before heading to Alabama to coach the running
backs from 1981-82 under the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant.
He was also the head coach atTemple University from 1983-88. Arians also held
positions with the Kansas City Chiefs (running backs, 1989-92), Mississippi State (offensive coordinator, 1993-95), New Orleans
Saints (tight ends, 1996) and Alabama (offensive coordinator, 1997).
Arians
was born Oct. 3, 1952, in Paterson, N.J. He and his wife Christine have a son,
Jake (29), and daughter, Kristi Anne (27).
