Grimm fits Lions' template

The man many think will be the Lions' next head coach is the man president Matt Millen reportedly will interview tonight in Pittsburgh: Steelers assistant Russ Grimm.

An NFL source said Wednesday the talk in coaching circles was that Grimm was the Lions' guy. Various media have reported Grimm is at or near the top of the Lions' list, with one ESPN.com columnist writing that "league and Lions sources" have said the job is Grimm's when the Steelers' season ends.

The rumors and reports make sense for a number of reasons, and Grimm is believed to be a serious candidate. But the Lions refuse to confirm or deny interest in anyone at this point, and the situation might be more complicated than it seems.



Grimm has a lot in common with Millen -- beyond the fact they were teammates on the 1991 Washington Redskins -- and he fits the description of what Millen has said he wants in a coach.
Grimm and Millen have strong Pennsylvania roots. Millen is from Hokendauqua, on the east side of the state, and attended Penn State. Grimm is from Scottdale, on the west side of the state, and went to the University of Pittsburgh.

Both were successful NFL players. Millen, a linebacker, won four Super Bowl rings and played in one Pro Bowl. Grimm, an offensive lineman, won three Super Bowl rings and played in four Pro Bowls. Grimm is a Hall of Fame finalist for the second straight year.

Last week, when Millen talked about the qualities he wanted in his coach and team, he used words like "tough," "smart" and "straightforward." Grimm is supposed to be all of those things. In approach and appearance, at least, he is the opposite of flashy, friendly and fired coach Steve Mariucci.

But there are other things to consider.

It seems premature to say Grimm is the Lions' leading candidate, let alone the job is his, when he hasn't even interviewed yet. Steelers coach Bill Cowher confirmed Tuesday that Grimm would talk to the Lions, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Wednesday he would do it tonight in Pittsburgh.

Grimm was a finalist for the Chicago head coaching job in 2004. After he lost out to Lovie Smith, he added the title of assistant head coach to the title of offensive line coach. He interviewed for the Cleveland job last year but lost out to Romeo Crennel. Apparently Grimm didn't interview well in either case, and there are concerns about his ability to manage a team because he has never been an NFL coordinator.

Millen said last week his search wouldn't be simple.

"If we just wanted a pure discipline guy, then we'd go get a discipline guy," Millen said then. "But there's: How do you handle a group, and where are your X's and O's? What's your philosophy about offense? What's your philosophy about defense? How do you go about building a football team? ... How do you handle the cap? Where should your money be spent? How do you handle this coach? What kind of coach can you get? I mean, there's a million things."
Some things might be out of the Lions' control.

Grimm might not want to come to Detroit because he doesn't like the situation or gets a better offer. Green Bay and New Orleans also have inquired about him.

And even if Grimm is the Lions' top choice, they might not be able to wait for him. NFL rules don't allow them to talk to him again or offer him a job until the Steelers' season ends. Pittsburgh plays Sunday at Indianapolis in a second-round playoff game.

What if the Steelers win and another team (say, the New York Jets) starts courting another of the Lions' top candidates (say, former Saints coach Jim Haslett)? The Lions might be compelled to act to make sure they get who they want.

NOTEBOOK: A Vancouver radio station reported quarterback Casey Printers, the 2004 Canadian Football League most outstanding player, signed a three-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. He had considered joining the Lions.

Contact NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA at 313-222-8831 or
ncotsonika@freepress.com.