Steelers fire O-line coach Zierlein
Published: January 6th, 2010 | Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Arians, Ken Anderson, Larry Zierlein, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have fired offensive line coach Larry Zierlein, according to NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi.
Zierlein was in his third season in Pittsburgh after being hired by coach Mike Tomlin in 2007.
The Steelers’ offseason alterations began Tuesday when quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson retired after three seasons, becoming the first member of Tomlin’s original 2007 staff to leave. A league source told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora that Anderson, 60, will pursue other career opportunities outside of coaching.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians could be replaced after the Steelers abandoned their vaunted running game for a pass-heavy offense. But QB Ben Roethlisberger has backed Arians, who’s also believed to have the support of Tomlin, too.
Tomlin met with Steelers players Monday and now is starting to meet with members of his staff.
“I don’t approach making major changes in response to our record, I like to use the term appropriate changes,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “Those aren’t knee-jerk reactions, those aren’t quick decisions. My mentality will always be to make appropriate changes. Big changes is not something I necessarily I buy into.”