Will Grimm replace the Chin?

ESPN is reporting that the Steelers have narrowed their coach search to three: current Assistant Head Coach Russ Grimm, Vikings' Defensive Coordinator Mike Tomlin, and Bears' Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera. The P-G's Ed Bouchette sounds off here on the story.

At this time, it would appear that the interview over the weekend with Georgia Tech's Chan Gailey (former Steelers' Offensive Coordinator) and the "permission asking" by the Steelers to consider Mike Sherman (current Texans' Assistant Head Coach/Offense, former GB Packers' head coach) will go nowhere. Sherman didn't even interview; when I heard his name mentioned, have to admit I was intrigued by the possibility.

Conventional wisdom is that if the Steelers don't announce their selection in the next several days, that puts Ron Rivera in the front runner position since the Steelers can't engage him any more until after the Bears' season is done. According to Bouchette, Tomlin has his 2nd interview tomorrow, Grimm on Wednesday.

I'd go with Grimm at this point - let's maintain some continuity on the staff. If there is no announcement on Thursday or Friday, then it will probably be Rivera.

BTW, congratulations to former Steelers' Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who is going to be the new Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers play at Arizona next year, so mark that one down on the calendar! Unfortunately for Coach Whisenhunt, the Cardinals just seem to be one of those franchises mired in perpetual mediocrity.

How much you want to bet that Whis' first official act as Head Coach will be to tell Matt Leinart to sell his motorcycle, if he owns one. ;-)