tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290664094797166932.post3511719043287382931..comments2024-01-03T07:44:38.155-05:00Comments on Today in Pro Football History: 1969: Steelers Edge Lions in Chuck Noll’s Coaching DebutKeith Yowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510256084009978331noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290664094797166932.post-60441311115876223132013-09-21T11:40:44.023-04:002013-09-21T11:40:44.023-04:00Interesting question - I noticed that Street &...Interesting question - I noticed that Street & Smith's mentioned the offer to Paterno in its 1969 pro football preview. It definitely is right up there with Bear Bryant taking the job with the Dolphins in '70, which caused Joe Robbie to pry Don Shula away from the Colts instead. My suspicion is that both Paterno and Bryant saw themselves as quintessential college coaches - and weren't all that eager to leave secure positions for the NFL. In both instances, of course, I don't think Pittsburgh or Miami fans were at all disappointed with how things worked out in the long run ;)Keith Yowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03510256084009978331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290664094797166932.post-40049818188194542262013-09-21T09:14:47.065-04:002013-09-21T09:14:47.065-04:00My friend's cousin was also on that Lion team ...My friend's cousin was also on that Lion team back then (Bob Kowalkowski, a guard). I don't think he knew him at all, though. Bob passed on a few years ago.<br /><br />That was the beginning of a new day for the Steelers, though. It didn't happen overnight, but they eventually got there. Noll turned out to be the right guy despite of that first season.<br /><br />I sometimes wonder, though, what would have happened if Joe Paterno took that job. In my opinion, I think he has success, but they don't win four SB titles (In an alternate early-70's, we could have had Paterno coaching the Steelers, and Bear Bryant coaching the Dolphins. He turned that down before Shula got the job). <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com