Al Everest calls his firing by Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin a shocker – NFL News
Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin has declined to comment on firing of special teams coach Al Everest, who in post-sacking remarks has pointed out at the decision being a controversial one and claimed that his differences were only professional and
nothing so serious as to prompt his release.
Everest, who has been replaced with his assistant staff Amos Jones, said the decision was ‘shocker’ to him and denied the possibility if the move had stemmed from the team’s decision to yank receiver Antonio Brown.
The coach said:
"It was a shocker."
While declining to discuss details of the decision, he added:
"It was professional differences, and let's leave it at that. It was professional differences.”
Mike Tomlin in the meantime refused to elaborate on the development, but said the team is never afraid of making such a decision even if it comes closer to start of the season.
A day earlier, the coach while confirming sacking of the special teams coordinator said that the evaluation process of the coaching staff would continue. He did not hint who was next in the line of fire and for what reasons.
This is second time this year that the Steelers have become a subject of controversy over release of their coaching staff. Bruce Arians, the offensive coordinator, was the first one to go. His removal was even more controversial given he was forced to announce
retirement rather than simply let go.
Some of the players, particularly quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, were annoyed over the haste the team had shown by letting Bruce out of the league in a controversial manner. He later joined the Indianapolis Colts into the similar role.
Ben was more displeased to know that Bruce had been replaced with Tomlin’s favourite offensive coordinator Todd Haley. The QB is not on good terms with the OC since his arrival in Pittsburgh, irrespective of the fact that all sides have played down reports
of differences.
Everest’s firing also raised eye brows given the Steelers lately do not have a good record as far as hiring-firing of their coaches is concerned. It was seen to be a controversial decision at its very outset and now the official himself confirmed by saying
that he did not anticipate it.
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