Steelers History 101. Chuck's choice.

[Six Rings]

Did you know that Al Davis wanted to hire Chuck Noll as his head coach before the Steeler called him? It's true. On paper, the Raiders were a much better team. Chuck Noll passed on team that went 12-2 who narrowly lost in the AFC title game 27-23 to the New York Jets. Instead, he picked a team that went 2-11-1!


While I'm more than sure Noll could have made the Raiders Super Bowl champions, he choose the worst team in football, and made them winners.


Without Noll's guidance and draft awareness, there's just no way the Steelers become what they are. An oh what the Raiders might have become! This was the pivotal moment in Steelers history. That and a lucky coin flip to pick Bradshaw.


Noll must not have liked Al Davis much.

[tube517]

Noll wanted to be remembered as a teacher. Maybe he felt like he couldn't teach an established team like he could with a losing team.


Who knows?

[fansince'76]

Noll originally hailed from Cleveland and played for the Browns. Perhaps he picked Pittsburgh due to its proximity to Cleveland?

[Butch]

Noll knew who the ownership was in both places and liked what he saw in Pittsburgh better than what he saw in Oakland.