Dunbar supposedly has been hired according to an Alabama paper that presumably has good contacts within the Bama program (where NFL position coaches go to improve their resumes )
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hiring Crimson Tide defensive line coach Karl Dunbar as their defensive line coach, according to a source.
This gets Dunbar back to the NFL, where the 50-year old had been for most of his coaching career before heading to Alabama in 2016 as the replacement for Bo Davis.
It will be the fifth NFL team he's worked for after stints as the defensive line coach for the Chicago Bears (2004), Minnesota Vikings (2006-11), New York Jets (2012-14) and Buffalo Bills (2015).
http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2018/02/nfl_team_hiring_alabama_assist.html
John Mitchell will remain on the coaching staff as assistant head coach.
WOW Assistant head coach.
Good Cop Bad Cop?
The announcement makes it sound like Mitchell will be doing a lot of admin/office work and less coaching - not certain how excited I would be about planning the Rookie Dinner, but I suppose it beats no longer being involved with the team and no paycheck
The assistant head coach also will be charged with adding value and structure to the team’s relationship with former players....
The assistant head coach will be directly involved in community relations as it relates to player participation, and he also will be charged with adding quality to the events that are already on the calendar, with the Rookie Dinner that’s held each year after the draft being just one example.
“We have to do a better job with former players,” said Tomlin. “We’re capable of doing a better job with current players, because the simpler we make their lives the more they’re going to be able to focus on football. John Mitchell has been a part of this community for a long time, so why would anybody on our football team buy a car, or look for a house, or try to buy insurance without stopping by John Mitchell’s office first?”
http://www.steelers.com/news/labriol...3-ad9fc9e3c937
So John Mitchell is now basically in charge of helping to prevent current players from doing stupid shit and former players saying stupid shit?
That's my take.
Interesting. Hopefully the DL play won't drop off without Mitchell being directly involved.
“I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play!” - Jack Lambert
What? Juju needs to go to John Mitchell to help him buy a house? Should Bell stop by and get a muzzle? Should AB stop by and get a new gatorade spout? Should Landry sell...er buy insurance at John Mitchell's office?“We’re capable of doing a better job with current players, because the simpler we make their lives the more they’re going to be able to focus on football. John Mitchell has been a part of this community for a long time, so why would anybody on our football team buy a car, or look for a house, or try to buy insurance without stopping by John Mitchell’s office first?”
I think this is Tomlim kicking a respected coach upstairs to ride herd on the locker room because he doesn't want to deal with it. I'm going to totally rethink my opinion on how much this stuff matters. Clearly someone in the organization thinks it does matter.
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Yeah, I think Mitchell still likes being in camp and the weekly practices, being around the fellas "if you will".
Tomlin's succession plan since Mitchell is going to hang it up very soon but keeping him relevant while he's still here.
From what I've read, Mitchell is a tell it like it is type of guy.
Welp, someone needs to babysit and keep our troublemakers in line.
I hope Mitchell makes them all shut down their social media accounts during the season.
Bring on the Battering Ram!
From Sept 2017:
Joe Starkey: Steelers' John Mitchell wanted to retire, but he's having too much fun
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/j...s/201709060145
(Side note: I can't read PG articles anymore. I'm not logging in through any social media or paying for a subscription. I use ad blockers for a reason. )
From the very little research I did on Karl Dunbar he has been apart of some very succesful D-Lines.
Granted all of them were very talented. The vikings had the Williams Wall, The Jets had drafted like 4 first round DL in a row.
Alabama also has an abundance of talent.
Not sure if he is a integral part or if he keeps stepping into good jobs.