Bruce
Arians
begins his third 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 32 years of
coaching experience, including 16 years in the NFL.
Arians has been instrumental in the
development of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. With 51 career wins, including a
22-9 mark during Arians’ two seasons as offensive coordinator, Roethlisberger
has a .718 winning percentage, trailing only Tom Brady among active
quarterbacks. Roethlisberger also became the second youngest quarterback to win
two Super Bowls (26 years, 336 days) when the Steelers defeated the Arizona
Cardinals, 27-23, in Super Bowl XLIII.
Arians, 56, helped All-Pro wide receiver
Hines Ward become one of the best wideouts in the NFL over the past five
seasons. During Arians’ first five 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 and touchdown
receptions.
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 Roethlisberger get elected to
his first Pro Bowl as he broke Terry Bradshaw’s longstanding team 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).
